174 - Valley Planet

Transcription

174 - Valley Planet

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
#050913052913
READ THE PLANET, IT’S FREE
MAY 9 - 29, 2013
IN THIS ISSUE:
Win Bonnaroo Tickets!!
Keep Downtown Loud
Ugly Houses
Gal About Town
Gentlemen Bastards
Nickel Cigar Box Guitars
Fans of Anime
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
Amy McCarley at Straight to Ale
The Greatest Live Music &
Events Calendars on Earth!!!!
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
(256) 533 • 4613
2
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
THE VALLEY PLANET
In
The
Planet
May 9 - 29, 2013
NEXT ISSUE MAY 30, 2013
THE VALLEY PLANET
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
#050913052913
203 Grove Ave , Huntsville Al, 35801, phone 256 533-4613
Publisher
Jill E. Wood
Calendar
Joanie Williams
Graphic Design
Douglas A. Lange
Contributors
Bonnie Roberts
Elaine Nelson
Jackie Anderson
Ricky Thomason
Aaron Hurd
Allison Gregg
Jim Zielinski
Tina Leach
Betty Boyd
Brady Thomas
Todd Powers
Kallie Ingle Kirk
Adam Jackson
Gena Rawdon Wilhite
Katherine Marren
Tim Owen
Sara Cunningham
“Every time a job is finished, I look at my car
and think, ‘Could I live in it?’”
- Lena Heady
On the Cover
N
ancy Rhodes Harper grew up in a small
town in Arkansas surrounded by the
Ozark Mountains right in the middle of
paint and brushes in her fathers sign shop. She
started painting at a very early age. Continuing
to study in school Nancy received a B.S.E. degree
in Art Education from The University of Central
Arkansas. After marriage, and completion of
Nancy’s husbands PhD. in Physics from Auburn
University’s graduate school, the couple landed in
Huntsville, Alabama. Nancy continued to paint and
grow as an artist while working in interior design,
sign painting and freelancing as an artist. After
raising a son with the support of her husband and
family Nancy decided to pursue painting full time.
Table of Contents
3
Contest From the Publisher
3
On the Cover
4
The Three-String Wonder Nickel Cigar Box Guitars, Betty Boyd
4
Ugly Houses…in Huntsville, Bonnie Roberts
5
Five Women Wearing The Same Dress, Gena Rawdon Wilhite
5
ReLit-Smokin Hot Reads Worth a Rekindle, Rick Thomason
5
Party of One, Allison Gregg
6
Gal About Town, Tina Leach
6
Keep Downtown Loud Gains Amplitude, Tim Owen
8
The Jazz Lounge, Jackie Anderson
9
The Gentlemen Bastards, Kallie Ingle Kirk
9
Photos by Sara Cunningham of ExMachina Designs
10
Music Calendar Begins
10
Regional Concert Calendar
10
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx For Old Stuff That Don’t Suck
11
HAMACON: May 31 – June 2
12
More Music Calendar
13
Music Calendar Continues
14
Calendar of Events Begins
15
More Events Calendar
16
Unchained Maladies, Ricky Thomason
17
Events Calendar Continues
17
Free Will Astrology
18
Zee’s Rocket City bEAT, Jim Zieliński
19
BB King Photos by Todd Powers
20
News of the Weird
21
Amy McCarley and the Kenny Vaughn Trio, Kallie Ingle Kirk
22
Music Exchange
22
The Single Guy: Communi-Date, Aaron Hurd
22
To Yuno From Yunohoo
Nancy has studied with many of the finest
artists in the world today: Quang Ho, Kim
English, Ken Auster, Nancy Chaboun, Karin
Jurick, Carole Marine, Anne Blair Brown, The
Cumberland Society Painters, Tim Horn, Kevin
Beilfuss, Maggie Siner and Milt Kobayashi.
“My love of portraying people while they go about
their daily lives and capturing a small moment in
time is what keeps me excited as an artist. Using
bold color, lush descriptive brushstrokes and very
often whimsy I set about doing what I love, painting
everyday! I have started painting exclusively what
I call my ‘ladies.’ Inspired by my studies with
Milt Kobayashi, I create whimsical women in
everyday settings with exaggerated features such
as elongated hands, arms, unusual faces and long
lean bodies with a lot of wonderful color.”
Nancy Rhodes Harper’s work is collected in many
states across America and can be found in some of
the very best fine art galleries in the United States.
The Atelier Gallery, Charleston, SC- Nelson Fine Art
Gallery Wilmington, NC - Art In Miniature Tubac,
AZ. “Huntsville will always be my home.”
Contest from the
Publisher
Win Bonnaroo Tickets!!
Contest Rules:
W
e will hold a random drawing of all
those who submit original photos of
yourself holding a Valley Planet in front
of at least 6 of the places listed below. Bonnaroo
attire appreciated but NOT required! The winner
of the drawing will receive two tickets to the 4
day Bonnaroo Festival June 13 - 16. A shout out
to these businesses is also appreciated but not
required – they are the ones who make this paper
FREE!
Submissions accepted by email only, May 6 thru
May 16th at 11am. Winner announced Friday,
May 17 on the Jimbo and Casio Morning Show
on Rocket 95.1. One entry per person. Business
addresses may be found in their ads in this issue
of the Valley Planet!
Emailing instructions: Send all photos together
(if not in the same email, then within same hour).
In the subject line put: Bonnaroo Contest and
your name. Email photos to jill@valleyplanet.
com. These photos may be used in Valley Planet
and valleyplanet.com. Must be 21 yrs or older.
Piccadilly
Redstone Federal Credit Union
Goin’ to the Dogs and Cats Pet Supply and
Dog Wash
Liquor Express
Mad County Winery
Pets, Love and Happiness Boutique
3 Skillets
Diamonds
Tim’s Cajun Kitchen
Coffeetree Books and Brew
The Fret Shop
Adult Video
Mangos
Sandwich Farm
Executive Flight Center
T Shepard’s
Tallulah’s
Tim’s Cajun Kitchen
Vintage Hunts
WJAB
WLRH
Rocket 95.1 or Star 99.1
Website: http://www nancyrhodesharper.com/
Thank you for reading the fine print of the Valley Planet. The Valley Planet and valleyplanet.com are published every three weeks by J W Publications in Huntsville, AL. You can pick up the paper free all over the
place or get it free on the web. Copyright 2003 by the Valley Planet, Inc. All rights reserved. You can contact
me at [email protected]
Reproduction or use without our permission is strictly prohibited. The views and opinions expressed within
these pages and on the web site are not necessarily those of the Valley Planet or its staff. The Valley Planet
is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or art. Back issues are available for viewing on our web site
www.valleyplanet.com in the archives section. You may reach the Valley Planet office @ 256.533.4613 or
by mail at Valley Planet 203 Grove Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801. Contact by email: [email protected].
Subscriptions to the Valley Planet are now available for $50 a year in the USA.
256-533-4613 VALLEY PLANET
Deadline for May 30 Issue is May 17.
THE VALLEY PLANET
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
3
The Three-String Wonder
Nickel Cigar Box Guitars
by Betty Boyd
C
lever. Unique. Beautiful. This is what the Nickel Cigar Box Guitar (CBG) studio is all about. It
all started with Nickel CBG Store and studio founder, John Nickel. He calls it his “inspiration
to build a 3 string guitar;” which he did from his garage in 2010. It was a 3-string cigar box
slide. John set out with the motivation of “perfecting and mastering the 3-string instrument.”
John studied music professionally at the University of North Alabama and worked as a studio recording musician. He was impressed and influenced by local artist Microwave Dave whom he saw during
a performance at a W.C. Handy Music Festival.
Nickel CBG was established by John Nickel as the nation’s first and only cigar box guitar store and
music studio. They began offering classes at Lowe Mill in 2011. This was not only to share the craft of
building 3-string CBGs, but to teach the art of playing one’s own personally crafted instrument.
Cigar box guitars came about as a “poor man’s version of a guitar”. Nickel CBG is keeping this tradition alive as part of the recent revival of luthiery (making of stringed instruments), and the “hand-made
instrument revolution.” “We make guitars, slide guitars, dulcimers, bass guitars, and amps out of cigar
boxes,” said John. Nickel CBG also offers build classes for those interested in building their own CBG
with free lessons included, and other free lessons are given on Saturdays at Lowe Mill from 1-3 p m.
a competition build for master luthier’s such as
Joe McCormack, who designs and builds his own
line, Alna Cigar Box Guitars which is featured in
the Nickel CBG studio. There will be various design categories for judging.
Lowe Mill will feature a Nickel CBG exhibition
in their 1st Floor Art Gallery from May 8 until
July 6, 2013.
Nickel affirms, “Our mission is to share our
knowledge of the craft of building, playing and
loving artisan guitars and stringed-instruments.”
For more information on Nickel Cigar Box Guitars and upcoming events, view their official web
page (and soon-to-be online store) at www nicka-jack.com, fb.com/ILoveNickaJack or fb.com/
Nickel CBG, email Nickel CBG at [email protected]. Go see that “hearing is believing” at Nickel CBG at Lowe Mill ARTS &
Entertainment, 2211 Seminole Dr. Studio #106,
Huntsville, AL., 35805.
The luthiers of Nickel CBG are currently working on a new product model, the “Nickajack ™.” This
new design is patent-pending, with more precision in hand crafted technology and the option for more
personalization or high-end art. The Nickajack ™ is unique with a specially designed resonator that
makes the sound more crisp and also has hand-wound pickups which results in a fuller range of tones
and breathtaking clarity. The Nickajack ™ is also extraordinary in that the boxes are made from renewable sources and cut methodically in order to produce very little waste.
The 9th Annual CBG Festival will be held at Lowe Mill on Friday, May 31st from 6-10 p.m. and on
Saturday, June 1st from 11a m.-11p m. It will feature hand crafted instruments, workshops, demonstrations, a vast artist market and of course cigar box guitar music. A major portion of the festival will be
E@BDANNJBNL5FKX(NT3DR
music we possibly can, for as long as life allows,
while we continually grow as both musicians and
friends. As long as we can do that, we’ve achieved
our ultimate goal.
BR: To enjoy what you do, to get better at it. To
have good friends, to become better friends. I can’t
think of better goals than those for a band - or a
person.
I thought it would be fun for each of you to name
two music idols.
Ugly Houses…in Huntsville
Alex: Anthemic artists, like Springsteen and David Bazan.
Jonathan: Jimi Hendrix, Mike Kinsella.
Will: “Porcupine Tree” and, from the early 90’s,
“Smashing Pumpkins.”
Philip: Tom Verlaine, Frank Zappa.
by Bonnie Roberts
U
gly Houses, the band, lives catty-cornered across the street from me. They are not only the best
neighbors anyone could want, but also extraordinary individuals and musicians.
I’ve heard them both practice and play. I’ve listened to the pure joy of “jazzy punk rock” rolling its way
down the street, and bringing with it something original - music these young men have composed themselves - drawing from divergent backgrounds, the influences of their music heroes, the irresistible call to
be musicians, and something artists of all kinds call “love of what you’re doing.”
Ugly Houses includes Philip Doughtery, drums; Will Mitchell, guitar; Jonathan Shrout, guitar, lead vocalist; Alex Wright, bass, backup vocalist.
BR: I’ve noticed that many bands incorporate repetition as a major part of their compositions. In your
music, I don’t hear that element as much. Why is that?
BR: Ugly Houses is part of the Red Lantern Artist
Collective. Why is the collective so important to
you?
UH: It keeps us growing as musicians. We all
write in different directions, so moving in and out
of others’ projects is a way of staying musically
agile. Too, when you’re surrounded by a group of
talented musicians who strive to make each song
better than the last, you feel motivated to do the
same thing.
BR: Now. The BIG QUESTION. The name.
(Laughter)
UH: We don’t repeat much or write songs with a conventional chorus. We try to let the music take over,
so we omit certain parts, without losing the original “meaning.” Though repetition helps the listener
remember, it can also limit what a musician can accomplish within a song.
BR: While, listening to one of your CD’s - Ugly Houses Vs. The Infinite Hole - I really enjoyed the feeling, the sound when all of you came in together on the vocals. I could tell you were working together
naturally, spontaneously.
UH: The group dynamic is wonderful because we’ve had such a long history. We’ve all had musical
projects that have intersected over the years. We’ve played with each other in former projects, even trading off instruments at times.
BR: And aren’t you good friends who hang out on the front porch with the famous orange lantern? And
sometimes, I bring you watermelon in the summer? (Laughter)
UH: Yes, we’re friends, and, at this point, more like family. (Pause) And thank you for the watermelon!
(Pause) We’re very serious about our individual music and our band, but we always have a lot of fun.
UH: It was taken from the lyrics to Tokyo by Cap’n
Jazz: “Some subdivisions no matter how much
pain or planning, no matter how much it matters,
some ugly houses sprout up in rows.” The Ugly
Houses stand out. They’re the weird ones. At the
end of the day, if you don’t see the charm in them,
you at least – hopefully - remember them.
I will not only remember these talented musicians
and truly good-for-the-heart people for the rest of
my life, I’m going over right now to sit beneath the
orange lantern and share some cold watermelon
with them as they take a practice break.
Listen and look for Ugly Houses in your neighborhood! Next event, May 11, at Excalibur Vintage
and Vinyl, Decatur.
BR: What is Ugly Houses’ major goal?
UH: It’s primarily to write and play songs that are fun for the listener and us. If individuals want to
give money or praise, we do appreciate any support! However, our main goal is to push out the best
4
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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
For more information: uglyhousesHSV@gmail.
com. For Huntsville Music Collective,
www redlanternHSV.com.
THE VALLEY PLANET
Five Women Wearing
The Same Dress
ReLit - Smokin Hot
Reads Worth a
Rekindle
Mary Ward Brown - It Wasn’t All Dancing.
by Gena Rawdon Wilhite
A
h…….weddings. A celebration of love,
life, and commitment. A day that the
bride and groom (if they’re lucky) will
cherish forever. A day filled with good wishes
and an open bar if you’re lucky.
But alas, every coin has its other side, and Alan
Ball’s Five Women Wearing The Same Dress
flips that lovely coin to show its dark, hysterical
side. These five bridesmaids, each for a different
reason, wish they were anywhere but at a posh
Knoxville, Tennessee wedding. Each has history
with the groom, and each has chosen the same upstairs bedroom in which to hide out, have a swig
or two of reception champagne, and wait for the
first opportunity to head for the hills.
They are Frances (played by Dagny Mullins),
a painfully sweet but sheltered fundamentalist;
Mindy (played by Megan Tompkins), the cheerful, wise-cracking lesbian sister of the groom;
Georgeanne (played by Tanja Miller), whose
heartbreak over her own failed marriage triggers
outrageous behavior; Meredith (played by Christa
Reaves), the bride’s younger sister whose precocious rebelliousness masks a dark secret; and
Trisha (played by Nina Soden), a jaded beauty
whose die-hard cynicism about men is called into
question when she meets Tripp (played by Eric
Soden), a charming bad-boy usher to whom there
is more than meets the eye.
Things obviously get a little heated as the bridesmaids wait for their chance to escape, with Dagny
Mullins’ Frances exclaiming, “How could somebody do something so nasty? A wedding is a sacred occasion” and Georgeanne adding “I need
about another bottle of champagne.”
Ball wrote the script over a decade before hits like
American Beauty, Six Feet Under, and True Blood
made him a household name, but the humor and
characters have stood the test of time.
It will be easy to see how well this cast has bonded when you see the show.
I
As the afternoon wears on, these five very different women joyously discover a common bond
in this wickedly funny, irreverent and touching
celebration of the women’s spirit.
“This has been such a fun show to work on. The
other actresses bring so much to their characters
that we are watching it come to life in rehearsals.
This is my first onstage theatre experience with
my wonderful husband Eric, and I can’t think of
a better co-star,” says Nina Soden, who plays opposite Eric’s bad boy character Tripp.
When asked how he has enjoyed his first TH experience, Eric had nothing but praise for the cast
and crew. “This show has been a blast to work
on! The cast is amazing, and this being my first
show with Theatre Huntsville, I couldn’t have
asked for a better experience.”
Directed by John Hancock and assisted by Gina
White & Angela Holland, Five Women Wearing
The Same Dress will be performed at the VBC
Playhouse on May 10 - 11 & 16 - 18 @ 7:30 p m.,
with matinees on May 12 & 18 @ 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.THtix.com,
or you can reserve tickets by calling the Theatre
Huntsville office at 256-536-0807.
This show is recommended for Teens and Adults
for Language and adult themes and produced by
special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service
first met Mary Ward Brown at a writer’s conference at Birmingham Southern College. She
appeared to be a shy, frail lady, everyone’s
adorable gray-headed grandma complete with big
glasses.
I said “appeared,” but once she opened her short
story book, It Wasn’t All Dancing and started her
reading, it was apparent that my initial assessment
was wrong, very wrong. By the time she finished
the first page any doubts I might have had were
forgotten. I was entranced by her style and knew
I was hearing another great voice in Southern Literature.
She puts you inside the story by taking you inside
the minds of the characters. The title story reveals
the memories of a bedridden woman, probably
her death bed. With an unblinking eye, she looks
back on her life, good and bad, and it darned sure
wasn’t all dancing.
Every story in her book carries you somewhere
real and every one of them ends too soon, you
want to know more. Her stories are almost as
truncated as those of Ray Carver. It’s not that they
are incomplete; it is that her economy of words
says so much so succinctly. You don’t want to
leave the world where she carries you – or makes
you go.
One friend of Ms. Brown describes her work as
“intensely self-revelatory without falling into the
maudlin sentimentality of a self absorbed person.
She is a profound observer and she observes herself with the same honest, genuine ferocity that
she turns of others.”
If I gave stars, this book is
a 10, and her other books,
too. My plan is to have
them all.
SPECIALS
Choose between Shrimp
Scampi & Fettuccine,
Coconut Chicken Breast,
or Stuffed Fish, with
two sides, bread,
dessert & drink.
9
Incidentally, she was in
her sixties when first published. None of us should
give up.
$ 99
Review by Rick Thomason
MEALS
you leave behind. Our legacy has very little to
do with what we hang on walls or stories we tell.
Our legacy is about improving this place. Honoring our past means doing the best in our present so when it becomes our past, we have made
it better.
Oh The Places We Went
A
long the hall in my home the words, “Oh
the Places You’ll Go” hang above art and
posters representing the places I’ve gone.
From the Great Barrier Reef to the edge of America’s West Coast, the places I’ve traveled are memorialized on my walls. It is, of course, a nod to
the Dr. Seuss book about life and its many adventures. When it came time to return to Huntsville
from my 18-month stay in Gulf Shores, I began
the desperate search only a perfectionist/procrastinator can make. The perfect piece of art to join
my hallway collection had to be found. Visits
to off-the-beaten-path galleries were made. I
flipped through pictures and marveled at paintings. Nothing struck my fancy. Nothing that
could encompass angry people, grateful athletes,
fresh seafood, musical events, lonely weekends
on the beach, sand in everything, tennis, and
the great fight was found. The wholeness of
my beach life was too complicated to be put in
a frame. As such, nothing hall-worthy made its
way home with me.
During that time, I spent much energy focusing
on how I’d honor this time. How would I use
this experience in my future? What would I bring
with me? If I couldn’t find anything to hang on
THE VALLEY PLANET
the wall, surely the representation would come
in my personality. Yes, I’m different now – but
only slightly. I’m stronger, wiser, and more determined. Wouldn’t that have happened anyhow?
Most likely. I was consumed with a genuine desperation to define and honor this magnificent experience that I wasn’t allowed to share with any
external souls.
As it happens every spring in North Alabama, the
brownish grey of winter gives way to the green of
spring. As the season subtly transitions, a dusting
of yellow pollen covers the region. The
fine granules work their way through
closed windows and screen doors. On
the streets, piles of this allergen are
stirred up as cars head forward toward
their destination. Glancing in my side
mirror, I watched it swirl and scatter in
my wake. It was this simple, out-of-thecorner-of-my-eye sight that perfectly
epitomized the struggle I was navigating internally.
When I look back at my time on the Deepwater
Horizon Spill Response team, I see a legacy of
which I am incredibly proud. I recall communities we rebuilt, lives we enhanced, and industries
we revitalized. We did it in the face of intense
criticism and pressure. We created a legacy by
establishing programs that will last for decades.
Looking back over my life, I see I’ve always
grown not by what I took. I grew by what I left.
Addition by subtraction.
At the exact moment I shifted my perception,
peace grew strong in my heart. The
anxiety created by trying to honor
the experience settled. We always
say that God only gives us what we
can handle. Challenge that. Take on
what you can handle. Choose what
you release. I choose to release that
anxiety. By doing so, I’m finally
done chewing on this experience.
Life is constantly happening. Seasons
are constantly changing. We’re all just
passing through this place. Why would
you focus on what you bring with you
to the next place? Instead focus on what
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
Regardless if I ever find anything
materialistic to symbolize my precious time at the beach, it stays alive
in the memories of what I left in my
wake. That is more amazing than
anything you can hang on a wall.
AVAILABLE
MAY 10-12
Need a gift for Mom?
Send an e-gift card. Just visit:
piccadilly.com/egifts
Visit us at the
following location:
Parkway Place Mall
2801 Memorial Pkwy.
(256) 536-6440
piccadilly.com
5
by Tina Leach
I’d Tap That!
S
ee what I did there? See, it’s an article about
a place that has beer taps, but I alluded to
something dirty. Clever huh? I bet no one
else has ever made that connection. I’m probably
the first to think of it. First rule of comedy: the
double entendre never fails.
One Stop
Party Shop
256 539-4333
Liquor Express has a wall of draft beer taps.
Aaaaaaaaaaand done. Or it should be, but there are
a lot of beer drinkers in this town (a lot), and half the people I talk to say things like “You can buy beer
on tap to go?!?!” with the incredulity one would expect if I said the place down the road sold baby meat
(Modest Proposal Meatery, the only place to get good baby).
Liquor Express is located on 1802 University Drive, basically right next door to the ABC Store. Before
the wall of taps was added, it was known (at least to me) as the liquor store you go to when the ABC
Store is closed (because the ABC Store closes early and doesn’t anticipate crazy things like late night
beer runs). They are open Monday through Thursday 9a.m.-midnight, Friday-Saturday 9 a m.-1 a m.,
Sunday 10 a m.-10 p m.
Over 1000 Different Beers!
Check out our 66 new craft
beers on tap featuring all of our
local breweries.
Now, Liquor Express pretty much has a beacon that happens to be pint glass-shaped. So all the beer
snobs, craft beer folks, locavores, hipsters, and just regular people who just love draft beer can be found
standing in line for a milk jug full of their favorite beer.
Great Vodka Selection
and Top Shelf Liquor
Open Late 9am – 12am M-TH
1:00am On Weekends
On the corner of Church St. and Pratt Ave.
Yes, a milk jug. Don’t worry, it’s not an actual milk jug. That would be icky. But they do have milk
jug shaped containers in quarts, half gallons, and gallons. For newbies, understand that you can’t really
purchase in advance. The sooner you drink it the better. If you wanna buy in bulk for several days, get
cans or bottles. They have 1000 different beers, some of which is local or hard to find. Liquor Express
is where I first tried Wells Banana Bread Beer on draft (or draught, since it’s from the U.K.). It’s no
longer in rotation, but I buy it in bottles now. It smells like bananas. I still haven’t decided if I like the
taste or the smell better. Seriously, I haven’t.
There are 66 beers on tap according to the website (not self serve). The beers rotate in and out (there’s
always some local beer), so if you’re looking for one in particular, check the website at liquorexp.com
for the current list. Liquor Express also has an expanded wine room and obviously liquor.
So, wall of taps. Yep. Mmm-hmm. Normally I close with a witty comment, but I pretty much used
all my A material with the double entendre in the first paragraph. So, I don’t really have anything else
to say.
Beer.
Keep Downtown Loud
Gains Amplitude
by Tim Owen
T
here’s been much discussion in recent years of Huntsville’s desire to revitalize downtown. Study
groups have made numerous sojourns to surrounding cities to see first hand what they’re doing
to attract businesses, residential developments and consumers back to the heart of the city. Inevitably, there are going to be growing pains - parking and other infrastructure issues, crowd control and
noise to mention just a few. The noise issue has recently come to the forefront when a local band was
cited for violation of the noise ordinance at a popular downtown restaurant. City personnel, in answering a complaint from a nearby resident, measured the decibel levels at both the venue and the residence
and found them to exceed the 62 decibel limit.
That citation was the catalyst that spawned a movement- Keep Downtown Loud (keepdowntownloud.org).
A small group of entertainment industry professionals, directly effected by the ordinance, in less than a week
has morphed into a group of concerned citizens that number in the hundreds.
“The noise ordinance as it stands will kill live music downtown” says one of the groups founders, Colin
Brooks. “Entertainers will not take the chance that they could get a $500 fine for playing too loudlythey may not even make that much for the gig” said another of the group’s originators, Matt Butler.
Liquor Express is a liquor store on University Dr.
Yes, admittedly I do write a lot about booze and beer joints. And yes, it’s all part of my Master Plan
for World Domination, which somehow begins with 1. Get the entire town drunk. There’s no 2. That’s
as far as I’ve gotten. I’m not even sure how that translates to actual world domination. I haven’t even
put a deposit down on my secret lair.
The Largest Import and Gourmet
Beer Selection in Town
6
Note: I am aware that a liquor store seems like a
small thing to write a column about. I mean, there’s
not any real adventure in it unless there’s jail time
involved afterward. Seriously, I tend to ramble and
go on tangents where there’s a good chance any article I write may include a paragraph (or two) about
a turtle I saw on the way (with the possibility of dialog), and even I think this has little to work with.
#050913052913
“We understand the need for compromise.” says
Chuck Harwood, a part time bartender downtown
for several years. “We want the downtown area to
continue to attract new residents, and I think a large
part of the attraction will be a diverse and vibrant
music scene. The current restrictions on volume
need to be adjusted so that we continue to be a viable entertainment option.” “I don’t think the city
wants our downtown to empty out at 5 o’clock everyday where the only viable occupations are crime
and graffiti art.” says another of the founding group,
Tammara Buckey, a local entertainer.
The group is encouraging concerned citizens to join
in the discussion by visiting their website, keepdowntownloud.org and joining them on their Facebook page. The May 23rd City Council meeting
will explore the possibility of amending the current
noise restriction statue. All interested parties should
make plans to attend.
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
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W
elcome to The Jazz Lounge. I do like
to keep things interesting, and this time
around is no different. My guest for this
session is a very special lady. Linda Purl is a class
act, who has contributed some very fine work as an
actress, which many of us are very familiar with. If
for some reason you can’t place the name, as soon
as you see her face on the screen, you make the
connection.
This star of stage, screen, and television is probably
best known for her portrayal of Ben Matlock’s
daughter “Charlene” in Season 1 of the hit television
show Matlock, with the late Andy Griffith. I
remember it as you do, and it can still be seen
everywhere. Linda Purl has quite an impressive and
extensive list of other television credits. She played
recurring roles on NBC’s The Office (“Helene
Beasley”), and on Showtime’s Emmy Awardwinning series Homeland (“Elizabeth Gaines”).
On HBO’s True Blood was “Barbara Pelt”. Some
of the many other appearances include: Criminal
Minds, Bones, Desperate Housewives, Cold Case,
Lie To Me, Crossing Jordan, Murder She Wrote,
Hawaii Five-O, Walker Texas Ranger, Touched By
An Angel, The Love Boat, and The Waltons.
singer, who has appeared across the country in
concert, including New York’s Metropolitan Room,
Feinstein’s, and Jazz At Lincoln Center. She has
solo tracks on George And Ira Gershwin: A Musical
Celebration, Cole Porter: A Musical Toast and A
Hollywood Christmas.
Linda’s new release is Midnight Caravan:
Celebrating The Great Ladies Of The Glamorous
Nightclub Era (LML Music). This album salutes
the great women of the 40s and 50s – from Ella
Fitzgerald to Judy Garland and Rosemary Clooney.
Linda is very effective putting the perfect touch
on the 15-tracks here, which range from ballads
to Latin jazz arrangements of Broadway tunes.
Classic standards like Caravan and My Romance
are featured. The musical lineup includes guest
stars Desi Arnaz, Jr. (son of Lucille Ball and Desi
Arnaz on percussion, and Tom Wopat in a duet
with Linda. Jazz pianist/arranger Tedd Firth is
the musical director. I really do like Midnight
Caravan… and recommend that you check it out,
looking at adding it to your collection.
I’m honored to have Linda Purl as my special guest
in The Jazz Lounge.
Jackie: Welcome to The Jazz Lounge, Linda.
This founder of the California International Theatre
Festival, has starred in over 45 made-for-TV
movies. Film credits include: The Perfect Tenant,
Mighty Joe Young, The Walking Major, Natural
Causes, Viper, and W.C. Fields And Me.
Linda has appeared on Broadway in the Tony
nominated The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer and
Getting And Spending, and Off-Broadway in The
Baby Dance and Hallelujah, Hallelujah!.
Many know the very talented and versatile Linda
Purl from her body of work as an actress. However,
what you may not know, is that she is also an amazing
Linda: Nice to be with you!
Jackie: First, I’d like to congratulate you on the
outstanding job you’ve done with the new CD
Midnight Caravan: Celebrating The Great Ladies
Of The Glamorous Nightclub Era.
Linda: Thank you so much. We had so much fun
doing it.
Jackie: What a career. I think I can speak for all of
us who have admired and enjoyed your contribution
to the arts over the years – Thank You.
Linda: Very, very kind, and I assure you the pleasure
has been and continues to be mine.
so many more. This is a small way of paying tribute
to their collective, enduring and inspiring talents.
Jackie: There is so much I’d like to ask you, so
let me start by taking you back a bit. Did coming
from a theatrical family influence your decision to
pursue acting, or was it something else? Also, did
you receive some sort of formal training?
Jackie: Being a New Yorker, I can get a feel for
what the ambiance was like in the supper clubs of
that era with the artists who were able to captivate
their audiences.
Linda: You bet it did. Our family fun usually
centered around the arts…off to see a play, a
concert. Play readings were done on a regular
basis in the living room. House guests were usually
artists…among them Tennessee Williams. Sorry to
name drop! I trained at the Toho Geino Academy in
Tokyo, LAMDA, and Actors’ Studio.
Jackie: Switching gears here – There are still those
out there who know about your acting, but had no
idea that you also have a great singing voice. There
are the very complimentary quotes from The N.Y.
Times, L.A. Weekly, Rex Reed, the late Rosemary
Clooney, and more. When did you first start
singing? Also, when did you officially launch your
music career?
Linda: I was lucky to perform in musicals as a
child. Music was often playing in our home…so I
think of it as something that has one way or another
always been a part of my life. In the 80s, I started
being a part of various benefit programs in which
all the performers sang. This introduced me to a
wonderful community of incredibly talented people.
Chief among them, David Galligan and Ron Abel.
They launched me into the world of cabaret.
Jackie: You have two previous solo recordings
Alone Together and Out Of This World (Live). Are
these available?
Linda: Yup. Through Amazon and/or my site
www.LindaPurl.com.
Jackie: The new album is Midnight Caravan:
Celebrating The Great Ladies Of The Glamorous
Nightclub Era. I like the theme. What is it all
about, and how did it come together?
Linda: When she said it, I knew it was a big life
note. I could not have imagined, however, the ways
in which Rosemary Clooney’s advice to me, “Keep
singing – the music will never let you down”,
would continue to unfold in my life. One of the
ways was when Rex Reed invited me to be a part
of his tribute to Ira Gershwin at the 92nd Street Y,
as led by wonderful Deborah Grace Winer with
musical director Tedd Firth. Tedd is genius. He is
generous. He is at once a singer’s and an actor’s
accompanist. He plays the subtext of a lyric – and
because I approach songs as an actress first, this was
kismet for me.
Growing up, I was fascinated by the records on my
parents’ turntable. In my imagination, it conjured
up a glamorous after-dark world…and conjured
especially images of those singing ladies. Johnny
Mercer said, “There are three kinds of people in
the world – Men, women, and girl singers.” I’ve
been lucky to know a few of the truly great ones…
Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Dinah Shore, Polly
Bergen…and have, like all of us, admired them and
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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
Linda: Wouldn’t it be fun to time travel back to
then?
Jackie: Oh yes! By the way, do you have any
particular favorites of the 15 tracks?
Linda: Hmmm…Tis Autumn I suppose…but really
they’re like kittens…too hard to choose a fav.
Jackie: Please tell us about your guest stars.
Linda: It all starts with Tedd Firth…the genius of a
Musical Director. Master percussionist Papo Pepin
is in the mix. What a blast to work with Papo!
He is a close friend of Desi, so it was Desi who
roped Papo in for us. Des, of course, is a master
percussionist in his own rite. Stand back when he
is at the congas! Tom Wopat is a dream, prince of a
man and OMG what a voice. Like chocolate. I’m a
lucky girl to have such gifted and generous friends.
Jackie: I believe Midnight Caravan… is available
at: amazon.com, iTunes, Barnes & Noble. Also, is
it available on your official website?
Linda: Yes, thank you, and through LML.
Jackie: Are you working on any new television
projects?
Linda: Not at the moment. Doing the play The
Year Of Magical Thinking at the Ensemble Theatre
Company in Santa Barbara. If anyone of the fans of
your lounge are in the area…come on by!
Jackie: I know that The Valley Women’s Center is
a cause that you are very supportive of, and believe
information can be found on your website.
Linda: There are very many causes to support. If
this one speaks to anyone who learns of it, we are,
of course, grateful for support.
Jackie: Linda, I’ve got to ask you this last question.
Is it true that you are a mountain climber in your
spare time? Please enlighten me.
Linda: Not climber, but hiker I think is fair. I’ve
done a little climbing but I’m no expert. I trekked in
Nepal for a month and have done 10 of the 14,000 ft
peeks in Colorado. Fun, really fun, but nothing to
brag about really.
Jackie: I can’t thank you enough for sharing some
of your time as my special guest in The Jazz Lounge,
Linda. All the best with Midnight Caravan.
That’s it for this session of The Jazz Lounge.
Thanks for the continued support. Remember, I can
be reached at: teekynyc.com.
Until next time, stay cool, & keep it jazzy!
THE VALLEY PLANET
Rock and Roll Lives:
The Gentlemen Bastards
Gentlemen Bastards, Photographer: Sara Cunningham of ExMachina Designs
R
Influenced by pure “old school rock” song writing is a group effort with these guys. Bud is a trained
jazz bassist and names Led Zeppelin, James Jameson and Paul McCartney as some of his influences
(and Dave went with the “what he said” response on this one) while Will claims Maynard, Tool, Perfect
Circle as influences but says his songwriting is B.B. King’s kinda bluesy.
by Kallie Ingle Kirk
ock and roll lives. It lives, breathes, grows and reproduces. I see it, in so many forms and fashions and it never ceases to thrill and amaze me. Even more so when I see people I call my friends
creating it. I get to see them transform from husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, mild mannered
engineers, TV producers, stock clerks, cashiers, whatever they do in day to day lives into pure, no holds
barred rock and roll wrecking machines. In this particular scenario, I admit to some bias on my part. A year or so ago, I was forwarded an email
from Bill Barry of The Gentlemen Bastards with a link to samples of their music. I was impressed. I
liked what I heard. Soon afterward, (but not soon enough!), I set up a show for them at a local live music favorite, The Coppertop. They were a huge hit and aside from my bookings, others began booking
them, here in town and in surrounding cities. Multiple blogs and review, all favorable. The pride I feel
is like the pride of a proud parent.
Sooooo....I was delighted to get to conduct this interview. Like many “parents”, I knew what my “musical children” were up to, places they’d played but rarely did we have a chance to just sit and talk
without the chaos that is the glorious atmosphere of a live rock and roll show. I learned a lot about these
guys, who are many things, gentlemen especially, bastards, not at all.
That being said, I met up with the gentlemen of The Gentlemen Bastards at the Barrelhouse downtown
with my pretty little photographer sidekick, Sara Cunningham. I was escorted gallantly to the rooftop
patio by lead vocalist Will Quinn, where Bill Barry (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Dave Stanley
(drummer extraordinaire) awaited us. “Bud”, Boovarsson, master bassist, joined us a few minutes later,
looking dapper in shirt and tie, having come from a president’s list awards ceremony where he is studying to be a master chef. I wondered if the band’s name came from the series of books by Scott Lynch. Will informed me that
although the books are great, no, they came up with the name on their own. With two members from Canada and the bass player/chef in training being from Iceland, these guys
have some international flavor going on!! The Gentlemen Bastards were formed by Bill and Dave who
met while playing in separate bands. They stayed in touch and when the other bands fell apart, they
placed and ad in Craigslist and added Will. Another Craigslist add yielded a jam session with Bud to
which they all unanimously agreed the chemistry was right and the band was ready to rock. THE VALLEY PLANET
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I often ask the bands I interview to name their best and worst shows ever. They name a show they
played out of town as their worst, not due to their outstanding playing, but on the acoustics due to the
all brick walls causing the sound to bounce all over and (they claim) it sounded so bad, even the bartenders went outside. I personally don’t believe a word of it. I’m happy to say they count the Halloween
show (where they dressed as nuns with Will as “Father Quinn”) that I booked last year amongst their
favorites. And each show just gets progressively better.
The guys were reluctant to name any one local venue as a favorite but they do feel Coppertop has been
very receptive and they hope to bring their style of “wreck and roll” to all the local venues and to the
world at large...
Fans of The Gentlemen Bastards can purchase their self titled CD through their website thegentlemenbastards.com, keep up with them via Facebook and sample their music with Reverbnation. Look
for new merchandise, t shirts, stickers, etc coming soon with a new CD also in the planning/writing
phase. These gentlemen expressed a great admiration for the music scene in Huntsville in general and the way
they all come together to play and support one another. They feel their biggest obstacle is getting their
talent out there. With Will as the rock and roll rock climber, Bud the master chef to be and the talents of
them all combined, that shouldn’t be any problem. As we were wrapping up our chat session, Bud (the chef) ordered tater tot nachos and Bill offered to
escort me to my car. Gentlemen indeed. Hats off to these guys, chivalry still has a fighting chance. As always...support your local artists. And get out to a show!!!! You’ll be amazed at the talent that lives
among us!!!
You can catch The Gentlemen Bastards next show in Huntsville at the SportsPage on Saturday, June 1.
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
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REGIONAL CONCERTS
Thursday, May 9
AMERICAN LEGION POST 237, Karaoke
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Marge
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
BLUE PANTS BREWERY, 22.5 Surprise
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, One Night Onlys
COPPERTOP, Jason and the PunkNecks
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12),
Bike Night w/ Joe Breckenridge
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke
ELK’S LODGE, Karaoke
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Slip Jig
FURNITURE FACTORY, EZELL
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), Karaoke w/
DJ Jammin’ Jeff
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Geoff and Bryan
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Karaoke
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ DJ Tara
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Moon Pi
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Dave Anderson
KNIGHT MOVES, Karaoke w/ DJ
LONE GOOSE, Traci-Traci’s Acoustic Communion
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL, Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ Amber
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, College Night w/ DJ
SPORTS PAGE, 5ive O’clock Charlie
SUDS BAR AND GRILL (MADISON), Blues Night w/
Bro Rick-Delta
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Gray, Black and White
THE STATION, Live Music/DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, Steve Ryan
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Barry Kay
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic Night
Friday, May 10
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Marge Loveday
AMENDMENT XXI, DJ E-lyte
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, The Mersey Band
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Tangled String
BISHOP’S EAST SIDE, Blackbird
BRICKHOUSE, Tim Cannon
BRIDGESTREET, Just Gracey
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB,
Bourbon & Shamrocks
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG.10), Rob
McNurlin and his Cowboy Band (from Nashville)
COPPERTOP, Tony Perdue and the Devastators
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Moon Pi
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Sing Along with Nancy
FLYING MONKEY,
Bear & Blaine Duncan and the Lookers
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke
FURNITURE FACTORY,
The Well Hungarians/ Scott Morgan
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Hot Rod Otis
HOPPER’S, Black Eyed Susan
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Seducing Alice
IMPROV, Canderiah “Can-Can” and the After 9 Band
KNIGHT MOVES, Widow Grove
LEE ANN’S, Groove
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke
LONE GOOSE, Fatso
LOWE MILL, Megan Jean and the KFB
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Diamond Dolls w/ DJ
Bishop Baker
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, Dizzy Trip
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Group Six
THE STATION, Chopdaddy & the Pharmhouse Funk/
DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, The Shags
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Dawn Osborne Band
Saturday, May 11
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176,
The Mersey Band/Karaoke
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Groove
ATLANTA
May 10, Smashing Pumpkins, Chastain Amphitheatre
May 10-11, Bassnectar, The Tabernacle
May 12, Tim McGraw, Aaron’s Amphitheatre
May 17, The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
May 21, Paramore, The Tabernacle
May 30, Darryl Hall and John Oats, Chastain Amphitheatre
June 2, Fall Out Boy, The Tabernacle
June 4, LL Cool J, Fox Theatre
BIRMINGHAM
May 30, Dispatch, Sloss Furnace
June 2, Cody Simpson, BJCC Concert Hall
June 7-8, Alabama Shakes, Sloss Furnace
HUNTSVILLE
May 9, Commodores, VBC Arena
May 10, Black Jacket Symphony, The Beatles, VBC Concert Hall
May 11, Third Day w/ Colton Dixon and Josh Wilson, VBC Concert Hall
May 12, Anthony Hamilton, VBC Concert Hall
May 22, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, VBC Concert Hall
MEMPHIS
May 11, Jason Aldean, Verizon Arena
May 26, Paul McCartney, Fed Ex Forum
June 1, Tony Bennett, Live at the Garden
June 4, St. Jude’s Presents, John Rich and Friends, Cannon Center
NASHVILLE
May 8, II Divo, Ryman Auditorium
May 11, A Prairie Home Companion w/ Garrison Keillor, Ryman Auditorium
May 12, The Killers, Grand Ole Opry
May 15, Kris Kristofferson, Ryman Auditorium
May 18, The Avett Brothers, Bridgestone Arena
May 20, Ellie Goulding, Ryman Auditorium
May 21, Bryan Adams, Ryman Auditorium
May 29, DISPATCH, Ryman Auditorium
June 4, Randy Owen, Wildhorse Saloon
June 2, Daryl Hall and John Oats, Ryman Auditorium
June 3, Darrius Rucker, Wildhorse Saloon
TUSCALOOSA
June 14, Brad Paisley, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
June 16, Earth, Wind and Fire, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
MUSIC cont. on pg. 12
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx For Old Stuff That Don’t
Suck- The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac
(2CD) [Enhanced]
W
hile most bands undergo a number of
changes over the course of their careers,
few groups experienced such radical
stylistic and personnel changes as Fleetwood Mac
and survived, indeed thrived because of it.
Initially conceived as a hard-edged British blues
combo in the late ‘60s, Fleetwood Mac rocked
and hard. Facts are, the early works, including Oh
Well one of the most covered songs ever, but no
cover quite has the sting of the original.
How can you resist lyrics like “Can’t help about
the shape I’m in. I can’t sing, I ain’t pretty and
my legs are thin; but don’t ask me what I think
about you, I might not give the answer that you
want me to.”
Oh, well, enough carping about what’s not included and back to the 36 tracks that are.
The band gradually evolved into a polished pop/
rock act over the course of a decade. Throughout all of their incarnations, the only consistent
members of Fleetwood Mac were drummer Mick
Fleetwood and bassist John McVie - the rhythm
section that provided the band with its name.
Ironically, they had the least influence over the
musical direction of the band.
Three dozen hits and key album tracks from 1975
to 1997, the first-ever Fleetwood Mac collection to be affordable yet comprehensive! This is
mostly all with the classic Mick Fleetwood-John
McVie-Christine McVie-Stevie Nicks-Lindsey
Buckingham lineup, whom you get to see in action on the enhanced CD recording their new album along with rare archival footage. Includes Go
Your Own Way; Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win);
Dreams; Don’t Stop; You Make Loving Fun; The
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Chain; Tusk; Sara; Hold Me; Big Love (live); the
rare B-side Silver Springs; Everywhere; Over My
Head, and more.
If you ever liked Fleetwood Mac, this is a must
have, It’s also a darned good place for newbies to
cut their teeth on.
Track Listings
Disc 1
Monday Morning / Dreams -Fleetwood Mac /
You Make Loving Fun -Fleetwood Mac / Go
Your Own Way / Rhiannon / Say You Love Me /
I’m So Afraid / Silver Springs / Over My Head Fleetwood Mac / Never Going Back Again / Sara /
Love In Store - Fleetwood Mac / Tusk / Landslide
Songbird / Big Love (Live, 1997) Storms
Disc 2
The Chain / Don’t Stop / What Makes You Think
You’re The One / Gypsy - Fleetwood Mac /
Second Hand News / Little Lies / Think About
Me Go Insane (Live, 1997) / Gold Dust Woman
Hold Me / Seven Wonders / World Turning /
Everywhere / Sisters Of The Moon / Family Man
As Long As You Follow / No Questions Asked
Skies The Limit / Paper Doll
THE VALLEY PLANET
Fans of Anime and Cartoons?
HAMACON: May 31 – June 2
T
he Huntsville and Madison Anime Convention, known as HAMACON, is a celebration for
fans of anime and cartoons! There are events and activities for young adults and older. On
the weekend of May 31 through June 2 2013, the 4th annual Huntsville and Madison Anime
Convention will be taking place in the Von Braun Center South Hall and is open to the public.
At HAMACON, you will find special guests, interactive games, voice actors, costume contests, live
music, informative panels, video game tournaments, a rave, merchandise for sale, arts and crafts for sale,
and the opportunity to meet new people from the area and across the US that share common interests.
There will be programming for people who are new to anime, as well as for people who are looking
to discuss their favorite characters or series. There will also be programming for parents who have
questions about anime. More information, including the schedule of events, is available at
www hama-con.com.
A weekend pass is $40 at the event, and tickets are also available for pre-purchase online at
www hama-con.com. The convention starts at noon on May 31st, with events scheduled until midnight
on Friday and Saturday.
THE VALLEY PLANET
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MUSIC cont. from pg. 10
CARSON’S GRILLE, Austin Jennings
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG.10),
Open Mic Night
COPPERTOP, Phylum, Slave, Gringe finger
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Drivin’ Under
FLYING MONKEY, Walker Street Opry
Square One Band
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (HUNTSVILLE),
Tequila Falls
FURNITURE FACTORY, Moon Pi/ Travis Posey
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), 4 on the Floor
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Legend Band
HOPPER’S, Crush
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Cousin Boogie
KNIGHT MOVES, Widow Grove
KNUCKELHEADS, Tim Cannon
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LONE GOOSE, Tangled String
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Pride of Kings
SPORTS PAGE, Blood River
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Kings Haze
THE STATION, Another Hero/DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, Jason Cunningham
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Toy Shop
Sunday, May 12
Karaoke w/ David and Carol
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Sunday Blues Jam
hosted by Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Karaoke w/ DJ Brandon Mac
Monday, May 13
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Robby Eichman
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke with Howie
FURNITURE FACTORY, Open Jam
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL,
RuPaul’s Dragrace/DRAGeoke
SPORTS PAGE, Dave Anderson
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open DJ Night
Tuesday, May 14
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Josh Allison
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Marge Loveday
FURNITURE FACTORY, Karaoke w/ Lou Walker
GREEN ROOM LOUNGE, Sharla LaBella
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Wally Hall
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Marge Loveday
LEE ANN’S, Playback
LISA’S LOUNGE, Bike Night w/ Thad Co.
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE (ATHENS),
Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Retro Vinyl Spin
SPORTS PAGE, Chelvis and the Bean
THE STATION, Karaoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Dave Anderson
Wednesday, May 15
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Karaoke Contest
3RD BASE GRILL, Tim Cannon
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Microwave Dave
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Matt Carroll
Songwriter’s Jam
COPPERTOP, Open Mic Comedy
followed by Ugly Houses
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR), Open
Mic w/ Eddie Miller
FURNITURE FACTORY,
Dave Anderson & Cousin Boogie
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Karaoke w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Donnie Cox
HOPPER’S, DJ T-Bop
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Loveday
IMPROV, Jazz Café and Poetry
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Andrew Sharp
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Lovechild
LONE GOOSE, Jonathon Byham and Friends
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke Contest/Talent Quest
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Cabaret Show hosted by
Natasha Demore
SPORTS PAGE, Trivia w/ Doc/ Marsha Morgan
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Daniel Jones
THE FOYER, Open Mic
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/
Tongue Lash
Thursday, May 16
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Josh Allison
COPPERTOP, EDM DJ Party
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Bike Night w/
Noel Webster
FURNITURE FACTORY, Kings Haze
Karaoke w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), Karaoke w/
DJ Jammin’ Jeff
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Carla and Mike
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Inglewood
Bro Rick-Delta
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Microwave Dave
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Friday, May 17
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Tim Cannon
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Neeve and the Red Headed
Step Child
BRICKHOUSE, Marge Loveday
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Robby Eichman
Showcase Performer
COPPERTOP, Chicken Bone Reunion, and The Sand
Mountain Snake Handlers
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Taboo’s Revenge
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
FLYING MONKEY, Watters/Felts Project
Karaoke
FURNITURE FACTORY, The Horizon Band/
Mitch Mann
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Juice
HOPPER’S, RPM
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Black Eyed Susan
LEE ANN’S, Kozmic Mama
LONE GOOSE, 5ive O’clock Charlie
LOWE MILL, Mandolin Orange
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Diamond Dolls w/
DJ Bishop Baker
SPORTS PAGE, Gag Order
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Seducing Alice
THE STEM AND STEIN, Acoustic Juice
Saturday, May 18
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176,
The Mersey Band/Karaoke
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Stand Up Chuck
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Debbie Bond
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, 911 Reporters
Open Mic Night
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
COPPERTOP, The Gentleman Bastards, CSU, and
Subkonscious (from Chattanooga)
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Spellbinder
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Percussive Artistry
FLYING MONKEY (HSV SWING DANCE SOCIETY),
Christabel and the Jons
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR), Square
One Band
Tequila Falls
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR),
Gray, Black and White
HOPPER’S, RPM
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, 5ive O’clock Charlie
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Big 40
LONE GOOSE, Marge Loveday
NORMANDY RIVER CAFÉ (MERCENTILE, TN),
McNary
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Ladies of Disillusion
SPORTS PAGE, Black Label
STRAIGHT TO ALE, Mandolin Orange
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Roosevelt Franklin
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, 45 Surprise
Sunday, May 19
COPPERTOP, Some Kind of Nightmare from California, Chason Jason, and the Dirty Scavengers
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR), Karaoke w/ David and Carol
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ DJ
Brandon Mac
Monday, May 20
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke with Howie
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL,
RuPaul’s Dragrace/DRAGeoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Strysand and Dyon
Tuesday, May 21
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), The Shags
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Charlie Howell
Karaoke
SPORTSPAGE, Chelvis and the Bean
Wednesday, May 22
Songwriter’s Jam
COPPERTOP, Open Mic Comedy
Mic w/ Eddie Miller
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Noel Webster
HOPPER’S, Rudy Mockabee
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Motor City Josh
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Blackbird
LONE GOOSE, Jonathon Carter
Natasha Demore
SPORTSPAGE, Trivia w/ Doc/ Noel Webster
THE BRICK (DECATUR), John Laird
THE FOYER, Open Mic
Tongue Lash
Thursday, May 23
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Gus Hergert
MUSIC cont. on pg. 13
THE VALLEY PLANET
MUSIC cont. from pg. 12
COPPERTOP, Stone Anderson
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12),
Bike Night w/Travis Posey
FURNITURE FACTORY, Big Daddy King Fish
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), Karaoke
w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), Karaoke w/ DJ
Jammin’ Jeff
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Daniel Jones
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Microwave Dave and
the Nukes
IMPROV, Jazz Keyboard
Bro Rick-Delta
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Acoustic w/
Chopper & Truman THE STATION, Live Music/DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, Alyssa Jaycee
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Friday, May 24
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Wayne Mills
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Bourbon & Shamrock
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, DJ Pat Tribute to
Beatles
Randy Lee
COPPERTOP, EDM DJ Party
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), The Breakers
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
EXCALIBUR VINTAGE & VINYL (DECATUR), Thieves,
Carridale, Latin For Truth
FLYING MONKEY, Richard Smith and Julie Smith
Karaoke
FURNITURE FACTORY, Juice/ Robby Eichamn
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Section 8
HOPPER’S, Damn Skippy
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Kush
KNUCKELHEADS, Crush
LEE ANN’S, Tom Cat and Bark the Dog
LONE GOOSE, Tequila Mockingbird
LOWE MILL, Christabel and the Jons
Bishop Baker
SPORTS PAGE, Lance Almon Smith
THE BRICK (DECATUR), 45 Surprise
THE STATION, 7’ Clearance/DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, Tim Cannon
Saturday, May 25
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, The Mersey Band/
Karaoke
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Moon Pi
Open Mic Night
COPPERTOP, Splitting Atoms, Barricades at Night,
and Bedlam
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Thad Co.
One Band
Tequila Falls
FURNITURE FACTORY, Gray, Black, and White/ Gus
Hergert
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Chocolate Cracker
HOPPER’S, Damn Skippy
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, 45 Surprise
IMPROV, Jazz Jokes and Jams
KNUCKELHEADS, Chopdaddy & the Pharmhouse
Funk/ Bike Night
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Fender Benders
LONE GOOSE, Late Bloomers
SPORTSPAGE, LIE
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Bar Flies
THE STATION, 7’ Clearance/DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, Alyssa Jaycee
TK’S (DECATUR), Crush
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Fistful of Beard w/
Those Crosstown Rivals
Sunday, May 26
Karaoke w/ David and Carol
IMPROV, Blues Under the Roof
SPORTSPAGE, Kings Haze
Brandon Mac
Monday May 27
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, RuPaul’s
Dragrace/DRAGeoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open DJ Night
Tuesday, May 28
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Marge Loveday
Karaoke
SPORTS PAGE, Chelvis and the Bean
Wednesday, May 29
Songwriter’s Jam
Mic w/ Eddie Miller
FURNITURE FACTORY,
Dave Anderson/ Cousin Boogie
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Donnie Cox
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, The Groove
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Chopdaddy
LONE GOOSE, Jonathon Byham and Friends
Natasha Demore
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Tim Tucker
THE FOYER, Open Mic
Tongue Lash
Thursday, May 30
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Tim Cannon
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Robby Eichman
COPPERTOP, Adult Spelling Bee
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Bike Night w/Jonathon
and Tyler
FURNITURE FACTORY, Kings Haze
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), Karaoke
w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), Karaoke w/ DJ
Jammin’ Jeff
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Geoff and Bryan
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Fatso
Bro Rick-Delta
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Josh Allison
THE STEM AND STEIN, Seth Barry
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic Night
#050913052913
Friday, May 31
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, April Mae and the Junebugs
BROKEN CLOCK GASTROPUB, Whiskey River Kings
Showcase Performer
COPPERTOP, Alice and the New Delta Payroll
DAWGHOUSE PUB (MADISON), Blackbird
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Amber Morgan Band
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
Karaoke
FURNITURE FACTORY, Groove/ Scott Morgan
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Group 6
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL,
The Dawn Osborne Band
LEE ANN’S, Full Circle
LONE GOOSE, Moon Pi
LOWE MILL, Hymn for Her
LOWE MILL, Danny Davis
Bishop Baker
SPORTS PAGE, Send More Cops and Guests
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Cheesebrokers
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Seducing Alice
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
Saturday, June 1
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, The Mersey Band/
Karaoke
Open Mic Night
COPPERTOP, The Casket Kids, Creep List
DIAMONDS (SEE AD PG.12), Soundwave
One Band
Tequila Falls
FURNITURE FACTORY, Black Eyed Susan
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Booty Shakers
HUMPHREY’S BAR & GRILL, Cousin Boogie
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LONE GOOSE, Cousin Boogie
SPORTS PAGE, Angry Natives and Gentlemen
Bastards
THE STEM AND STEIN, Jim Cavender
Sunday, June 2
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR), Karaoke w/ David and Carol
Brandon Mac
THE END!
13
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday, May 9
The 25th Annual Huntsville Hospital Foundation
Classic Dinner and Concert will have the Commodores
to perform at the VBC Arena. The cost for the Dinner
and Concert is $150 and the concert only is $20.
256-265-8077.
Duos and Solos Square Dance Club will be offering
lessons to couples and singles every Thursday at the
Tom Bevill Enrichment Center, 115 Main Street W in
Rainsville, AL. Classes will be from 6:30 - 9pm. The
cost is $10 a month for singles and $20 for couples.
www.duosandsolos.com.
Registration is now open for Sci-Quest’s Summer
Camps. Sci-Quest’s Summer Camps offer a variety of
hands-on activities for children ages 4 to 12th grade.
256-837-0606, www.sci-quest.org.
Friday, May 10
The 2013 City Lights and Stars Concert Series will
feature the Watters-Felt Project at Burritt on the
Mountain. It will be at 7:30pm with gates open
at 6:30pm. Adults are $12 and members are $10 in
advance. All tickets at the door are $15.
www.burrittonthemountain.com.
Black Holes, Space Warps & Time Twists will be on
exhibit at the US Space and Rocket Center though
August 31st. www.rocketcenter.com.
The Purdy Butterfly House at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens will be open until September. This beautiful, soaring 9000 sq. ft. natural stone and steel beam
structure overlooking the entrance pond is home to
thousands of native butterflies, tadpoles, frogs, button quail, turtles and other critters. Regular admission
price includes the butterfly house.
The Mircea Lacatus, Sallie Estes & Maria West
Exhibitions will be on display at Lowe Mill. Admission
is free. www.lowemill.net.
The Touring Warsaw Uprising Photo Exhibit will
be at the Huntsville-Madison Public Library now
though May 26th. www.hmcpl.org.
© Disney
There will be a concert at the Huntsville Public
Library at 6pm. The performer tonight will be James
Smith (The Autoharp Man). www.hmcpl.org.
Nativity Green Street Market will be every Thursday
this summer at 4pm, on the corner of Green Street and
Eustis Street.
Tickets Start at $12!
Additional fees may apply.
MAY 15 – 19
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MAY 18
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7:00 PM
MAY 19
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5:00 PM
Buy tickets at Ticketmaster.com,
Retail Locations, Von Braun Center
Box Office or call 1-800-745-3000
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The Lenore Corey Show Exhibit will in the 1st Floor
West Micro Gallery of Lowe Mill. It will be on display
now through July 6th. www.lowemill.net.
The Beloved Book Club will meet the second
Thursday of each month at 6:30pm in Studio 273/
Beloved Books & Gallery, Flying Monkey Arts, second
floor of Lowe Mill. www.flymonkeyarts.org.
There will be Knitting Between the Lines: “Gone
Girl” by Gillian Flynn, from noon - 1 pm at the Bailey
Cove Public Library. 256-881-0257, www.hmcpl.org.
The Giant Garden Little Me Exhibit will be at the
Huntsville Botanical Gardens through December
31st. There will be king-size checkers, super soaker
sprinkler, “Big Dog” house and much more.
www.hsbbg.org.
The Alabama Inventors & Innovators Exhibit will
be on display at the Burritt Museum now through
August 18, 2013. Ranging from the late 1800s to
today, displays will include an interesting assortment
of inventions created in Alabama or by people from
Alabama. www.burrittonthemountain.com.
14
#050913052913
May 10 - 11
The 5th Annual Brewfest will be this weekend at the
Historic Roundhouse. Each year the Rocket City
Brewfest is hosted by the Huntsville Chapter of Free
the Hops. This is a weekend long event dedicated to
Craft Beer! The best craft beers that are available in
the Alabama markets, great local food vendors, and
entertainment with local and regional musical acts
will be there.
www.rocketcitybrewfest.com. (See ad pg.7)
May 10 - 12
Theatre Huntsville presents 5 Women Wearing the
Same Dress at the VBC Playhouse. Performance
times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday
at 2pm. This play is recommended for teens & adults
for language & adult themes. Tickets are $18.
www.yourseatiswaiting.org 256-536-0807.
Saturday, May 11
The Huntsville Rockets vs. The Georgia Panthers
will be at Milton Frank Stadium.
www.thehsvrockets.com.
The MVAC Gallery will have the exhibit, The Art of
Pamela Willis Watters of Huntsville. The MVAC Gallery
is located at 300 Gunter Avenue in Guntersville, AL.
It will be on exhibit now through May 30. 256-5717199, [email protected].
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The Athens Limestone Hospital Health Fair will be
in Downtown Athens from 9am until 12:30pm.
www.athensplus.com.
The Academy Summer Camp Registration is now
open. It is for ages 3 - adult. There will be ArtSplash,
Puppetry, Musical Theatre Audition Technique and
much more. It will be at the Fantasy Playhouse
Children’s Theatre. www.fantasyplayhouse.com.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will have the exhibit,
Psychedelic Mania: Stephen Rolfe Powell’s Dance
with Glass from now through July 21, 2013. Highlighting 25 years of glass production, this exhibition
will include 45 works by this internationally-recognized master glass artist and Alabama native.
www.hsvmuseum.org.
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The Huntsville Vegans will meet at 6pm at Cafe 153
at Bridge Street to share food, plan events, and have
fun. They will meet every Friday.
www.huntsvillevegans.com.
Renaissance Theatre presents Sherlock Holmes, A
Study in Scarlet. Performance times are Friday and
Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.
www.renaissancetheatre.net.
The Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table,
“Presents: “Franklin [TN] before the Battle”; by historian
and author Thomas Flagel, professor of American
History, Columbia State Community College will be at
6:30pm at the Elks Lodge at 725 Franklin Street. There
is an optional chicken buffet at 5:30pm for $8.95.
Visitors are welcome.
256-539-5287.
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The Black Jacket Symphony will be performing The
Beatles “Abbey Road” Album at the VBC Concert Hall
at 8pm. 256- 533-1953.
Hollywood Huntsville (Acting School) is currently
offering classes for all ages. 256-536-9447,
www.hollywoodhuntsville.com.
The Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table,
“2nd Annual Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table
Photo Contest” will be now through October 1, 2013.
There will be categories for Middle and High School
Students up to age 18, and adults age 19 and above.
256-541-2483
A
LAUGH-OUT-LOUD
COMEDY
The Progressive Women of Northeast Alabama
(DeKalb-Jackson-Marshall Counties) will meet at
11:30am at Mentone Springs Hotel, Hwy. 117 in
Mentone. 256-638-4194.
Art with a Twist will be at the Huntsville Museum of
Art from 5:30 - 8:30pm. www.hsvmuseum.org.
The Wade Warton Exhibit will be at the Huntsville
Botanical Garden. The garden will have over 30
of his pieces on exhibit through the next two years.
www.hsvbg.org.
The West Main Dance Studio presents its annual dance
performance from 6 - 9pm at the Princess Theatre in
Decatur. www.westmainstudios.com.
The Dragon Boat Festival will be at Point Mallard
Park in Decatur from 9am until 4pm. Proceeds from
the race will benefit the Decatur Morgan Hospital
Foundation. Admission and parking are free.
www.racedragonboats.com.
A New Leash on Life will have dogs and cats available
for adoption every Saturday from 12-4pm at Pet
Smart on Carl T. Jones. www.anewleash.org.
Yoga by the River at Hays Nature Preserve will be
every Saturday in May. It will be from
9 - 10am. Admission is free. 256-532-5326.
The Madison County Commission Fishing Rodeo
will be from 8:30am until noon at Sharon Johnston
Park. The Commission will provide hooks, corks, bait
and post the rules. 256-379-2868.
The Southeast YMCA will have a Kids Night Out from
6 - 10pm. The cost is $10 per child.
www.ymcahuntsville.org.
The Music Moves Me 5K Run will be in downtown
Huntsville. www.musicmovesmerum.com.
The Murphy Writers Group will meet May 11th
and 25th, at 3pm at the Eleanor E. Murphy Public
Library, 7910 Charlotte Drive. Meet other writers,
share your work and receive constructive feedback.
256-881-5620, www.hmcpl.org.
There will be an Artist Market from 12 - 4pm.
Admission is free. Local artists and others are invited
to set up a booth at the Flying Monkey Arts and sell
their wares to the public. It will be on the 2nd floor of
Lowe Mill. www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
Hands on Trucks will be at Sci-quest Hands on
Science Center from 10:30am until 2:30pm. There
will be more than a dozen trucks on display with
operators available to provide information. There is an
admission charge for this event. www.sciquest.org.
There will be a Mustang and Ford Show at Madison
Square Mall from 9am until 4pm. Admission is free.
256-880-9623.
events cont. on pg.15
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
THE VALLEY PLANET
events cont. from pg. 14
There will be a Planetarium Show every Saturday
night at 7:30pm at the Planetarium. www.vbas.org.
The Huntsville Bead Society will be meeting at the
Crestwood Women’s Center at 185 Chateau Drive.
This month’s class will be making a Herringbone
bracelet. It will be from 10am until 6pm.
[email protected].
The Harvest Herb Fair will be at the Huntsville
Botanical Gardens from 10am until 2pm.
www.hsvbg.org.
The Bailey Cove Public Library will have Ponypalooza from 1 - 3pm. Meet the illustrator of the bestselling comic “My Little Pony,” Madison resident Andy
Price. Costumes are encouraged. Join them for snacks,
get your cutie mark painted, create your own custom
pony tail and try your hand at comic writing and illustrating. 256-881-0257.
Rick Sammon – Canon Explorer of Light Seminar
will be at the UAH Chan Auditorium from 1 - 5pm.
There is no fee for this seminar, but registration is
required at www.huntsvillephotographicsociety.org.
The Murphy Writers Group will meet at the Eleanor
E. Murphy Public Library at 3pm 256-881-5620,
[email protected].
The Madison City Farmers Market will be from
8am until noon at 1282 Hughes Road in Madison,
Alabama. 256-656-7841.
The 25th annual Huntsville Classic Golf Tournament
will be at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at
Hampton Cove from 8am until 3pm.
There will be a Madison Walking Tour at 10am
beginning at the Depot Roundhouse in Madison.
John Rankin is the guide. 256-533-5723.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will have the exhibit;
Recent Acquisitions on display now through
November 15th. www.hsvmuseum.org.
The 3rd Annual Spencer Black 5k Run/Walk and
1 Mile Fun Run will begin at 8:30am. It will benefit
Clements High School and Blue Springs Elementary
School Fitness Programs and Facilities.
www.clementshigh.org.
“Power in the Blood” will be at 7 Mile Post Road
Church. It is a Fund raiser for St. Jude’s and an
orphanage in Guatemala. There will be a Blood Drive,
Community Yard Sale, Bake Sale, and Live Music.
www.athensplus.com.
The Donnell House will have, “A Living History”,
the re-enactment of Maria Donnell requesting Col.
Turchin to quiet his drunken troops. It is sponsored
by the Hobbs camp, the Donnell House, and Athens
Tourism Association. www.athensplus.com.
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers’ Five Points of
Life Kids Marathon will be at Joe Davis Stadium. The
race starts at 9am. Participants, ages 5 to 13, receive a
T-shirt and Kids Marathon Medal.
www.fivepointsoflife.org.
The Limestone Sheriff Rodeo Parade will be at the
Rodeo Arena. Lineup begins at 1pm and the parade
starts at 2pm. 256-232-0111, www.limestonesheriff.
The Good Day Kid’s Festival will be from 12 - 4pm
at Lowe Mill. Admission is $5 for entertainment
there will be strolling jugglers, hula hoopers, as well
as music and even a pony ride! All children must be
accompanied by an adult. [email protected],
256-533-0399.
May 11 - 12
The Lumberyard is sponsoring Lucky Duck Days.
This is a family street fair on the 100 block of Cleveland
Ave. with arts & crafts, good eats food court, farmers
market, hospitality tents, entertainment, activities and
games. It is a fundraiser for diabetes. $5 will buy you a
duck and a chance to win a beach vacation.
www.luckyduckdays.com. (See ad pg.11)
There will be a Mother-Daughter Princess Tea Party
at Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre. Seating will
be at 1pm and 4pm. Reservations are required.
www.fantasyplayhouse.com.
Sunday, May 12
There will be a Mother’s Day Brunch at the Huntsville
Marriott, 5 Tranquility Base from 11am until 1pm.
Adults are $29.95, children (6-11) $14.95, 6 and under
are free. 256-830-2222.
Monday, May 13
There will be Pickin’ & Grinnin’ at Elkmont Depot
every Monday night at 6:30pm at the 256-423-7588.
The Huntsville Art League will have Figure Drawing
Group every Monday from 9 am until noon at the HAL
Gallery. http://huntsvilleartleague.org.
Violins! Violins! Violins! will be at the Princess
Theatre. It will be from 7 - 8pm. Admission is free.
www.princesstheatre.org.
There will be a Teen Night at 6:30 pm at the Monrovia
Public Library. Learn how to make braided bracelets
THE VALLEY PLANET
of all types at the monthly teen night.
[email protected], 256-489-3392
There will be a Laptop Learners Computer Classes:
Excel 2 at 10am at the Eleanor E. Murphy Public
Library, 7910 Charlotte Drive.
256-881-5620, [email protected].
Tuesday, May 14
The West Morgan Band will be at the Princess
Theatre from 7 - 8pm. www.princesstheatre.org.
Gee’s Place will have Line Dance class every Tuesday
from 6 - 8pm. The cost is $5.00.
The Write Right Lunch & Learn: “Introduction to
Writing for Publication,” will be from noon to 1
pm in the main Huntsville-Madison County Public
Library. Annie Laura Smith will be the speaker. She is
the author of “Twilight of Honor,” and the biographies,
“Sally Ride” and “Neil Armstrong,” were recently
released by The Ardent Writer Press. www.hmcpl.org.
Latham Methodist will host a Farmers’ Market
in their parking lot every Tuesday from May thru
September. www.lathamumc.org,
[email protected].
The Dance Club presents ballroom dancing every
Tuesday night. It will be at Rollertime Skating Rink,
707 Arcadia Circle. Free dance lessons begin at
7:30pm. Dancing continues until 10:15pm. The cost
is $7 for regular and $4 for students. 256-883-6107,
dancehsv.mindspring.com.
There will be a Free Health Screening at the Star
Market on Bailey Cove at 9:30am.
The Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Street Dance will be
today. It is free and open to the public.
256-232-0111, www.limestonesheriff.com.
Wednesday, May 15
Every Wednesday there will be a Bike Ride with the
gang from Bicycles Etc. It is usually 27 miles with
significant climbing and a spiffy pace. It will meet at
Bicycles Etc. at 5:30pm. www.bicyclesetc.us.
The Elkmont Library (Depot) will have Storytime
every Wednesday from 10 - 11am. 256-732-3703.
Dixie Scrabblers will be meeting every Wednesday in
May at Panera Bread on Airport Road, to play social
Scrabble. First game starts around 6pm.
Intro to Scratch Art Class with Debi Michetti will be
from 2 - 3pm at Studio 103 at Lowe Mill. The class is
$50 for 4 week class, every Wednesday.
www.lowemill.net.
The Flying Monkey Community Garden Meeting
will be from 6:15 - 7:15pm. Admission is free. It will be
in the Anna Sue is located on the Flying Monkey Arts
floor studio 269. www.lowemill.net.
May 15 - 19
Disney on Ice presents Dare to Dream, an all new show
at the Von Braun Center Arena. Dare to Dream takes
adventure to new lengths with magical moments from
Disney’s newest fairytales, Tangled and The Princess
and the Frog, plus the timeless Cinderella. Tickets are:
$63 Dream Dining, $43 (Rink side), $33(VIP) $23, $18
and $12. www.DisneyonIce.com. (See ad pg.14)
1
Thursday, May 16
SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody, a Laugh-Out-Loud
Musical Comes will be at Mark C. Smith Concert Hall.
It will be at 7:30pm. Tickets are $36.50. (See ad pg.14)
The Spanish/English Conversation Circle will be at
6:30pm at Monrovia Public Library, 254 Allen Drake
Drive, 256-489-3392, [email protected].
May 16 - 18
The Butler Theatre Project presents, Up the Down
Staircase at Butler High School at 7:30pm. Tickets
are $7 for adults and $5 for children.
Theatre Huntsville presents 5 Women Wearing the
Same Dress at the VBC Playhouse. Performance
times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday
at 2pm. This play is recommended for teens & adults
for language & adult themes. Tickets are $18.
www.yourseatiswaiting.org 256-536-0807.
May 16 - 19
Renaissance Theatre presents Sherlock Holmes, A
Study in Scarlet. Performance times are Thursday,
Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.
www.renaissancetheatre.net.
The 26th Annual Multicultural Indian Event will be
at the Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center in
Danville, AL. www.oakvilleindianmounds.com.
Friday, May 17
There will be a Camp Out in the Garden at the
Huntsville Botanical Gardens from 6pm until 8am.
There will be a flashlight walk of the Nature Trail, a hay
ride and a viewing of the stars with the Von Braun
Astronomical Society; weather permitting.
www.hsvbg.org.
Sci- Quest Hands on Science Museum will have
Parents Night Out tonight from 6 - 9pm.
www.sciquest.org.
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
15
UNCHAINED MALADIES
by Ricky Thomason
S
ince 2005, the number of “Justifiable homicides” has risen 25% in states with “shoot
first,” or so called “Stand Your Ground” laws
which remove the “direct threat” part of self-defense laws in protection of your castle and replaces
it with “you can shoot anytime, anywhere if you
even feel threatened.”
Florida (now known as The Gunshine State)
has become the black and white poster child of
irrational gun laws – gun laws that have “blown
up in their face” said Paul Solotaroff in the April
25th issue 1181 of Rolling Stone magazine. The
article is titled, “A Most American Way To Die.”
Do yourself a favor. Find it. Buy it. Read it.
This quote is from Solotaroff’s article. “If you’re
a black teen in Florida cranking hip-hop, a heavily
armed and enraged Tea Partier can gun you down
in broad daylight – and he just might get away
with it.”
The Tampa Bay Times’ analysis of more than 200
cases where “Stand Your Ground” was used as a
defense 70% of the defendants went free – and
the percentage is higher than that if the victim was
black.
One problem is that places the entire burden on
the prosecutors; they have to prove the defendant
is lying about “feeling threatened.” Feeling
threatened is so subjective that it is darned hard to
quantify and define.
The shooter simply testifies “I felt threatened” and
lives to kill another day. The victims can’t dispute
the defendant’s recounting of events because they
are taking a long dirt nap. The Andrew Zimmerman
/ Trayvon Martin skittles shooting is going to put
SYG to the test again. At first, I thought Zimmerman
was screwed for sure because he called 911 and was
specifically told to stop the pursuit, police were on
their way.
He didn’t stop. I now believe Zimmerman will
walk, possibly without a trial.
You can bet your bullets that Zimmerman’s fate is
of great interest to Michael Dunn. Dunn is charged
with the November shooting death of black teen,
Jordan Davis in Jacksonville, FL.
Davis and three friends were out checking out the
girls at the local mall, struck out, left, and headed
to Davis’s home to play X-Box.
The smallest things can have the largest
consequences. In this case, the driver of the Dodge
Durango stopped at a gas station for a pack of
Newports.
The other three waited in the car, windows down,
tunes booming.
A black Volkswagen Jetta whipped into the lot and
parked so close to the Durango that its passenger
side door could not be opened - though there were
plenty of empty spaces over the lot, several to either
side of the Durango. Michael Dunn, a 280 lb, 6’ 4”
white guy was the driver.
A woman jumped out and ran into the store to pick
up some wine and chips Dunn wanted.
Dunn rolled down his window and told the teens
to turn the noise down. His girlfriend later said that
that was a frequent complaint from Dunn. “I hate
that thug music.”
The teen in the passenger seat dialed the volume
down, but Jordan Davis passenger in the back-seat
passenger side wasn’t going to acquiesce to the
bullying. He unbelted and leaned across the console
and turned the music back up – and then some.
The driver returned with the cigs and as he buckled
up he saw a pistol through the Jetta’s window.
He yelled “Duck!” and grabbed the shifter and
was getting away as fast as possible as the first
three shots struck the car. Several more followed
and Dunn was now half out of the Jetta and fired
two handed at the fleeing Durango. One stuck the
tailgate and another zipped by the drivers head and
struck the visor, barely missing the driver.
A hundred yards down the road they stopped at
a sandwich shop and frantically dialed 911, but
witnesses had already called and some jotted down
the license plate of the Jetta. Dunn made a getaway,
and Jordan lay dying in the backseat.
The plate led the police, some 50 miles away, to
Satellite Beach and Dunn’s seaside Condo. Dunn,
who fired his first rifle at age three, greeted the cops
at the door like they were comrades and fellow
party pals. Dunn declined his Miranda rights and
when questioned further about the incident said,
“They defied my orders. What was I supposed to
do if they wouldn’t listen?”
He was charged with murder on the spot. After he
lawyered up he changed his entire story saying
he saw one of the passengers in the backseat
brandishing a shotgun and fired in self-defense.
The grounds were laid for another Stand Your
Ground defense.
The following states now have some version of the
Gunshine States SYG legislation.
Alabama
Arizona
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois (The law does not include a duty to
retreat, which courts have interpreted as a right to
expansive self-defense.)
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon (Also does not include a duty to retreat.)
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington (Also does not include a duty to
retreat.)
West Virginia
Be careful. This deal is certain to get crazier.
Jordan and Dunn hurled f-bombs at each other
then Dunn yelled “You’re not going to talk to me
like that!”
16
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
THE VALLEY PLANET
WJAB presents R&B Diva Cherrelle & Jazz/R&B Violinist
Jerald Daemyon at the Improv Entertainment and
Restaurant at 9pm. Tickets are $25 or VIP for $30.
www.huntsvilleurbannetwork.com. (See ad pg.8)
There will be a Book Signing by Barbara Eubanks, “A
Web to Tight” from 8 - 10am at the Coffee Tree Books
& Brew. www.coffeetreebnb.com. (See ad pg.10)
Singing on the Square will be in downtown Athens
at 6pm. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy
the free concert featuring Just Down the Road.
256-232-5411.
May 17 - 18
Soulstock, North Alabama’s largest free outdoor
Christian music festival will be at Point Mallard Park
in Decatur. Admission is free. www.soulstock.com.
The 2013 Relay for Life of the Huntsville Metro
Area will be at John Hunt Park and Cross Country
Running Trail from 7pm until 7am.
The 31st Annual Limestone Sheriff ’s Rodeo will be
this weekend in downtown Athens.
www.athensplus.com.
May 17 - 19
There will be The Blue Moon Contra Dance Weekend
in the UAH Student Center with The Latter Day
Lizards and Lisa Greenleaf. 256-837-0656, www.
secontra.com/NACDS.html.
Saturday, May 18
The Tutelar Group announces the first ever Ladies
Only Instructional Shooting Clinic. Learn to Shoot
a Pistol! It will be at Cavern Cove Rimfire in Woodville,
AL. Sign in will begin at 9:30am. The cost is $175.
http://caverncoverimfire.com,
www.Tutelargroup.com, 256-542-1641.
The Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will be at the
Historic Huntsville Depot from 10am until 3pm.
Admission is free. 256-604-9823.
The Dixie Derby Girls vs. the Muscogee Roller Girls
will be at the Roller Time Skate Rink. Doors will open
at 5:30pm, bout begins at 6pm.
www.dixiederbygirls.com.
The Huntsville Fern Society presents their 12th
Annual Fern Festival and Sale. It will be at the
Huntsville Botanical Gardens from 9am until 3pm.
The festival includes music, mini-seminars on growing
ferns, and the sale of over 40 different types of ferns.
www.hsvbg.org, 256-830-4447.
There will be a Smooth Jazz Concert at Three Caves
with Annie Selleck at 7pm. www.landtrust.org,
256-534-5263.
Sunday, May 19
The Price is Right will be at the VBC Concert Hall at
7pm. 256-533-1953.
Monday, May 20
Laptop Learners Computer Classes: Goodreads, will
be at 10am at the Eleanor E. Murphy Public Library,
7910 Charlotte Drive, 256-881-5620,
[email protected].
Tuesday, May 21
The Brass Band of Huntsville’s Spring Concert: Cinemagic! will be at the Huntsville High Auditorium.
Tickets are available at the door.
The Lakeside Summer Concert Series presented by
the Mountain Valley Arts Council will be at Civitan
Park in Guntersville at 6:30pm. The performance
tonight will be the Watters/Felt Project (Jazz/Vocals).
Concerts are free and open to the public.
Wednesday, May 22
There will be an Art Critique at Lowe Mill, 6 - 7pm.
Admission is free. The critiques will be continued on
the 4th Wednesday of each month in the first floor
gallery space at Lowe Mill. www.lowemill.net.
Thursday, May 23
The Old Church at the Burritt on the Mountain and
The Huntsville Traditional Music Association will
have Walker Street Opry in concert at 7pm. Admission
is free. Donations are accepted.
www.burrittonthemountain.com.
There will be a concert at the Huntsville Public
Library at 6pm. The performer tonight will be The
First Missionary Baptist Church Choir.
www.hmcpl.org.
May 23 - 27
The Rocket City Fair will be at Joe Davis Stadium.
There will be a variety of shows & attractions, petting
zoo, stunt and thrill show and food. There is an
admission charge.
Friday, May 24
The Paranormal Study Group will have guest,
Jacquelyn Procter Reeves, a native of New Mexico,
an award-winning author of 12 books on history and
true crime. This presentation will be held at the Hilton
Garden Inn, 4801 Governors House Drive at 6:30 pm.
Public Admission is $10.
ParapsychologyStudyGroup.com,
Meetup.com/Huntsville-Paranormal-Study-Center.
The 2013 City Lights and Stars Concert Series #2 will
feature Mary Gauthier at Burritt on the Mountain at
7:30pm with gates open at 6:30pm. Adults are $12
and members are $10 in advance. All tickets at the
door are $15. www.burrittonthemountain.com.
Kittenpalooza will be at Lowe Mill from noon until
4pm. Kittens of every color will be available for adoption. Come and adopt your new best friend!
www.snapalabama.com, www.lowemill.net.
The 19th annual Daikin Festival will be from 6:30 to
9pm at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Decatur.
The free event offers Japanese culture displays,
exhibits, music, food, and participatory activities for
people of all ages. 256-306-5000,
www.decaturcvb.org.
There will be an Indie Summer Fashion Market at
the Cahaba Shrine Temple from 9:30am until 5pm.
Admission is free. 754-234-1150.
Saturday, May 25
The Rose Show and Competition will be at Parkway
Place Mall from 11am until 3pm. 256-880-3773.
There will be a Military Vehicle Rally at the Veterans
Memorial Museum at 4pm. 256 882-3737.
Phil Weaver, classical guitar and Bruce Walker, storyteller present, Tales and Twangs from 7 - 10pm at the
Flying Monkey Theatre. Admission is $10.
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
There will be a special display Parrots-R-4ever at
the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Avian Rescue &
Sanctuary Inc. will have 10-12 large parrot species on
display from 10am until 2pm. There is an admission
for this event. www.hsvbg.org.
The Kickoff event for “Discover Tech: Engineers
Make a World of Difference,” will be at 2pm at the,
main Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.
The exhibit will be on view at the main library through
July 9th. www.hmcpl.org.
The Huntsville Swing Dance Society will have
Christabel and the Jons, from 7 - 10pm. Admission is
$10 and $7 for students. There will be a lesson at 7pm
and a dance at 8pm in the Flying Monkey Theatre on
the second floor of Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment.
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
“Eating Alabama” an educational documentary
regarding healthy eating hosted by Spirit of Athens
will kick off Movie Night at the Pavilion. It’s a free
event to be shown after dark. www.athensplus.com.
The Marathon Gamers will be hosting another
gaming marathon in hopes of raising money for
the American Cancer Society for cancer research.
The event will be live on the internet with the help
of TwitchTV. Viewers are asked to donate money
through the marathongamers.org.
[email protected], 256-679-8750.
May 18 - 19
There will be a Living Bonsai Society Show at Bennett Gardens. Admission is free. 256-852-6211.
The Bailey Cove Friends of the Library Book Sale
will be from 9am until 5pm on Saturday and 1 - 5pm
on Sunday at the Bailey Cove Public Library, 1409
Weatherly Plaza S.E. www.hmcpl.og.
The River City Performing Arts presents its annual
spring dance show at the Princess Theatre, Saturday
at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm.
www.rivercityperformingarts.com.
THE VALLEY PLANET
May 25 - 26
The Old School and Blues Festival will be at the
Jaycee’s Building at John Hunt Park. 256- 679-3272.
The 36th Annual Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon
Classic has been a tradition in the River City, bringing
with it 65 colorful, giant balloons, live music, and familyfun all in celebration of Memorial Day. Along with
the hot-air balloons, the annual, free event features
competitive races between hot-air balloonists from
across the country, tethered rides, live entertainment,
an IDOL competition, a military tribute an evening
“balloomination” and a spectacular fireworks show
at Point Mallard Park in Decatur. There will be free
parking at Wolverine Park and GE with shuttle service
to Point Mallard Park. www.alabamajubilee.net.
Monday, May 27
The Cotton Row Run will be today in downtown
Huntsville. The race starts at 8am. 256-650-7063.
Tuesday, May 28
The Lakeside Summer Concert Series presented by
the Mountain Valley Arts Council will be at Civitan
Park in Guntersville at 6:30pm. The performance
tonight will be the Persons of Interest (Classic Rock/
Vocals). Concerts are free and open to the public.
There will be a Health Forum: Hearing Loss, at 11am
in the main Huntsville-Madison County Public
Library. Dr. William McFeely of the North Alabama
Ear, Nose, and Throat Association discusses hearing
loss, including symptoms, treatment, and the latest
research. 256-532-2362, www.hmcpl.org.
Friday, May 31
The Opera: Don Pasquale will be at the VBC
Playhouse at 7:30pm. 256-883-1105.
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley will be at the
VBC Playhouse at 10am and 2pm. 256- 883-1105.
#050913052913
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
May 9 - May 29
© Copyright 2013 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): The Tarahumara Indians of northwestern Mexico are renowned for their
ability to run long distances. The best runners can cover 200 miles in two days. The paths they travel
are not paved or smooth, either, but rather the rough canyon trails that stretch between their settlements.
Let’s make them your inspirational role models in the coming weeks, Aries. I’m hoping that you will
be as tough and tenacious as they are - that you will pace yourself for the long haul, calling on your
instinctual strength to guide you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may have only a dim idea about how your smart phone and computer work, but that doesn’t prevent you from using their many wonderful features. While you’re
swimming, you know almost nothing about the physiological processes that are active inside you, and
yet you have no problem making all the necessary movements. In that spirit, I’m not worried about
whether or not you will grasp the deep inner meaning of events that will be unfolding in the coming
weeks. Complete understanding isn’t absolutely necessary. All you need to do is trust your intuition to
lead you in the direction of what’s interesting and educational.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “I need not sell my soul to buy bliss,” says a character in Charlotte
Bronte’s 19th-century novel Jane Eye. “I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me
alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give.”
This would be a great speech for you to memorize and periodically recite in the coming weeks. Do it in
front of your mirror at least once a day to remind yourself of how amazingly resourceful you are. It will
also help you resist the temptation to seek gifts from people who can’t or won’t give them to you.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): What is the big adventure you’ve been postponing forever because it
hasn’t been convenient? How about an intriguing possibility you have always wanted to experiment
with but have consistently denied yourself? Or what about that nagging mystery you’ve been wishing
you had the time and energy to solve? Wouldn’t your life change for the better if you finally dived in
and explored it? In the coming weeks, Cancerian, I urge you to consider giving yourself permission to
pursue something that fits one of those descriptions.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Right now, Leo, you are a majestic and mysterious mess of raw power. You
are a fresh, flaming fountain of pure charisma. Irresistible! That’s you! Unstoppable! You! Impossible
to fool and immune to the false charms of heartfelt mediocrity! You! You! You! In your current condition, no one can obstruct you from seeing the naked truth about the big picture. And that’s why I am so
sure that victory will soon be yours. You will overcome the fuzziness of your allies, the bad vibes of
your adversaries, and your own inertia. Not all conquests are important and meaningful, but you will
soon achieve the one that is.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A character in Herman Hesse’s novel Demian says the following: “I live
in my dreams. Other people live in dreams, but not in their own.” Whose dreams do you live in, Virgo?
What is the source of the fantasies that dominate your imagination? Are they the authentic outpourings
of your own soul? Or did they originate with your parents and teachers and lovers? Did they sneak
into you from the movies and songs and books you love? Are they the skewed result of the emotional
wounds you endured or the limitations you’ve gotten used to? Now is an excellent time to take inventory. Find out how close you are to living in your own dreams.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Charles Ives was a renowned American composer who lived from 1874
to 1954. Because his music was experimental and idiosyncratic, it took a long time for him to get the
appreciation he deserved. When he was 73 years old, he won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for a symphony he had written when he was 30. I expect that in the near future you might be the beneficiary of a
similar kind of mojo, Libra. A good deed you did or a smart move you made in the past will finally get
at least some of the recognition or response you’ve always wanted.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “There are no right answers to wrong questions,” says science fiction
writer Ursula K. Le Guin. And that’s why you must be so conscientious about coming up with the very
best questions. Right, Scorpio? All your efforts to hunt down solutions will be for naught unless you
frame your problems elegantly and accurately. Now here’s the very good news: Your skill at asking
pertinent questions is at a peak. That’s why I suggest you make this Focused Inquiry Month. Crisply
define three questions that will be important for you to address in the next seven months.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Charlie Parker was a great jazz musician. As a saxophonist and
composer, he was an influential innovator. Unfortunately, he also had an expensive heroin addiction. It
interfered with his ability to achieve financial stability. There’s a famous story about him showing a bystander two veins on his arm as he prepared to shoot up. “This one’s my Cadillac,” he confessed. “And
this one’s my house.” I’m bringing this up, Sagittarius, in the hope that it will provide a healthy shock.
Are you doing anything remotely like Charlie Parker? Are you pouring time and energy and money into
an inferior form of pleasure or a trivial distraction that is undermining your ability to accomplish higher
goals? If so, fix that glitch, please.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good,” said
iconic songwriter Woody Guthrie. “I hate a song that makes you think that you are just born to lose.
Because you are too old or too young or too fat or too slim too ugly or too this or too that. Songs that
run you down or poke fun at you. I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world.”
Amen, brother Woody! I have the same approach to writing horoscopes. And I’m happy to advise you,
Capricorn, that you should have a similar attitude toward everything you put out and take in during
the coming weeks. Just for now, reject all words, ideas, and actions that demoralize and destroy. Treat
yourself to a phase of relentless positivity.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “I know not what my past still has in store for me,” testified the Indian
spiritual poet Tukaram. I believe most of us can say the same thing, and here’s why: The events that
happened to us once upon a time keep transforming as we ripen. They come to have different meanings
in light of the ever-new experiences we have. What seemed like a setback when it first occurred may
eventually reveal itself to have been the seed of a blessing. A wish fulfilled at a certain point in our
history might come back to haunt us later on. I bring up these ideas, Aquarius, because I think you’re
primed to reinterpret your own past.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): According to legend, Jennifer Lopez’s butt is insured for $300 million.
Bruce Springsteen has supposedly insured his voice for $31 million and wine expert Angela Mount is
said to have insured her taste buds for $16 million. In that spirit, Pisces, I encourage you to consider insuring your imagination. To be clear, I don’t anticipate that you will have occasion to collect any settlement. Nothing bad will happen. But taking this step could be a fun ritual that might drive home to you
just how important your imagination will be in the coming weeks. Your power to make pictures in your
mind will either make you crazy with unfounded fantasies and fearful delusions, or else it will help you
visualize in detail the precise nature of the situations you want to create for yourself in the future.
Homework: In what circumstances do you tend to be smartest? When do you tend to be dumbest?
Testify at Freewillastrology.com.
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
17
Zee’s Rocket City bEAT
C
by Jim Zieliński
ongrats to Chef Ryan Zieliński, who has
fled Huntsville Country Club after 17+
years of diligent service for an Executive
Sous Chef position in Nashville’s West End. Once
I’ve specifics, drop in and visit and/or savor the
spread.
Christopher Brooks Brown, late of THAI
GARDEN, alerts us to buzz re…a WAFFLE
HOUSE in FIVE POINTS…? Anticipate several
thousand theatre peeps dead from cholesterol by,
say, New Brunswick Day.
Seriously, there are NO late-night options
thereabouts and 5Pts is a short trundle from
Renaissance Theatre, the Precambrian Playhouse,
and the infant Lee High School, where one
may espy yours truly and hosts of others toiling
for Huntsville Community Chorus, Ars Nova,
Independent Musical Productions, and more. That invite also goes for ballet troupes…I mean,
they swill syrup, too, right? It’s just theatre people
generally aren’t compelled to tread the boards
afterwards in tights and on toes. Caveat Eat-or.
DAYTRIPS: I never understood why Maifest was
so long after May Day and its associated poles…
regardless, you’ve two Saturday’s to placate your
Wanderlust if, like Wilhelm Jöel, you’re in a
Neuschwanstein State of Mind.
First up is at Birmingham’s Freunde Deutscher
Sprache und Kultur (FDSK) hangout, Das Haus
[2318 2nd Avenue, North; (205) 324-5949; www.
fdsk-dashaus.org; communication@fdsk-dashaus.
org] from 6:30 p.m. – 11:45 p m. on Saturday, 11 May. If you’re unavailable that weekend, try Saturday,
18 May at the Cleveland, Tennessee Maifest [First
Street Square, ChristianHoeferleORMS@gmail.
com] from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p m. Remember,
though, you lose an hour.
18
For menu/$$ specifics, call, e-mail, or wait with
bated breath for Facebook updates. Expect
Wursts, Beer, Pretzels, Gingerbread, Sauerkraut,
Apfelstrudel, Semmeln…some mixture thereof. If this doesn’t make your Deutsche blood polka,
here’s hoping you get Senf in your Lederhosen
and gar in your Waldmeisterbowle.
Given America’s adoption of Bratwurst as “one
of our own” - a chilling harbinger of its decline
- assume a focus on that over Knackwurst,
Weisswurst, Blutwurst, or any others your
alpha waves might beach. Tellingly, FDSK has
added “Crawfish Boil” to its title. Incidentally,
Cleveland’s featured oom-pah folks are The
WurstBrats, a name I typically employ when
referring to anyone under 20, if not 38.
On Friday, 24 May, don your Happi Coats and
cheer the 20th Annual Daikin Festival [Daikin State
Docks Road, Morgan County Fairgrounds; (256)
306-5020/(800) 524-6181; www.decaturcvb.
org]! Common FREE festival food includes
Hamburgers, Hotdogs, and Jambalaya, but the
cream of the crop is Yakisoba, a beef-cabbagecarrot-noodle stirfry.
Employees and attendees will enjoy hands-on
Taiko Drum (which basically means “drum drum”)
demos, live music, Japanese cultural exhibits and
folk dancing, and…weather permitting…tethered
hot-air balloon rides. Parking, too, is free, with
shuttle service from Decatur Mall and Austin
High School. See you at the Grand Prize vacation
drawing, in your freshly Febrezed kimonos. Why
wait for the next “Mikado” revival?
Leave us close with this thought: in the
Real World, yams and sweet potatoes aren’t
interchangeable.
#050913052913
There will be a Triple Artist Receptions from 6 - 8pm
at Lowe Mill. Admission is free. The First Floor Gallery
will be featuring the work of John Nickel, the Second
Floor Connector Gallery will be showcasing the Cigar
Box Guitar Festival Contributors, and the Third Floor
Gallery Space will have the work of Birmingham folkpop painter Paul Wilm. www.lowemill.net.
May 31- June 2
The Hamacon 4 Huntsville Madison Convention will
be at the VBC South Hall this weekend. HAMACON is
Huntsville Alabama’s premier anime convention. The
convention features panels, guests, video gaming
and tournaments, analog/tabletop gaming, a rave
featuring multiple DJ’s, an artists’ alley and dealers’
room as well as a new take on the anime viewing room
experience. http://animecons.com (See ad pg.11)
Saturday, June 1
The Cigar Box Festival opens at 11am, which features
hand crafted instruments, artist market, workshops
and demonstrations, a Cigar Box Instrument Builders
Competition in the second floor connector gallery.
There will be live music by Nadaband, Pat and John
Nickel, Little Johnny Kantreed, April Mae and the
Junebugs, Justin Johnson, Johnny Lowbo and more.
Admission is $15 for Saturday only or get a two night
Fri./Sat. pass for $20. www.lowemill.net.
The Mill Village Woolery Workshop and Hook- In
will be from 9 - 5pm at Lowe Mill. Admission is $40
[email protected],
www.lowemill.net.
There will be a Contra Dance in the gym of Faith
Presbyterian Church at the corner of Airport and
Whitesburg Drive. There will be live music by Tennessee
Pigweeds and calling by Jane Ewing. It is from 7:30pm
until 10:30pm. Lessons begin at 7pm. Admission is $7
and $4 for students. Children under 12 are free. 256837-0656, www.secontra.com/NACDS.html.
The Alabama Hammers vs. the Louisiana Swashbucklers Arena Football Game will be at the VBC Arena
at 8pm.
The Photography Exhibit: “Colors of Light” by Joe
Fikes will be on display in the Trium Gallery at main
Huntsville- Madison County Public Library now
until July 31st. www.hmcpl.org.
There will be a Rummage Sale at Goin’ to The Dogs &
Cats, 814 Wellman Avenue from 7am until 10am. You
can drop off donations for the sale on Friday, May 31st,
from 10am until 7pm. (See ad pg.6)
www.snapalabama.com.
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
National Trail Day Celebration will be at Rail to
Trails in Elkmont, AL. It is free and open to the public.
256-232-5411.
Athens Cruise In on the Square will be from 3 - 8pm.
It will be the first Saturday night of each month (AprilOctober). 256-457-9179.
The 16th Annual Freedom Creek Festival will be
at Cookieman’s Place on Hwy 17 1438 Wilder Circle,
Aliceville, Alabama from 11am until late. There will
be blues music all day featuring, Microwave Dave and
the Nukes, Debbie Bond and the TruDats, and much
more. Suggested donation is $10.
www.alabamablues.org.
The 2013 North Alabama Sickle Cell Walk-a-Thon
will be at Big Spring Park.
www.sicklecellna.org.
There will be a Book Signing for Eddie Payton
(brother of Walter Payton) for his book ‘Walter and
Me” sponsored by Jackson State University Alumni
Chapter. It will be at Barnes and Noble at Bridge
Street from 2 - 4pm.
www.huntsvilleurbannetwork.com.
The Jackson State University Alumni Chapter
Spring Scholarship Bash will be at the Improv
Entertainment and Restaurant at 8pm. Tickets are
$25. 256-714-1893, 256-651-0397,
www.huntsvilleurbannetwork.com.
The School of Fine Arts presents its annual spring
dance recital at 6pm at the Princess Theatre.
www.princesstheatre.com.
The Spirit of Athens is proud to be hosting the Athens
Saturday Market starting June 1st through August
from 8am until noon.
June 1 - 3
The Wedding Swap Shop will be in the Target
Shopping Center on University Drive between,
Hancock Fabrics and Game Stop. It is a wedding and
formal event consignment sale. Shop or consign you
wedding, prom, quinceañera, pageant and other
formal dresses, items and decor. Consignor drop is off
May 30 - 31st. www.theWeddingSwapShop.com.
Sunday, June 2
The Film Co-op monthly workshop will be from 2 4pm. Admission is free. It meets in Don’s Studio, #264
on the second floor of Lowe Mill. Open to all, public
invited. 256- 457-5371, www.lowemill.net.
THE END!
THE VALLEY PLANET
BB King from VBC Concert April 26, 2013. Photos by Todd Powers
THE VALLEY PLANET
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
19
refused to remove the mask he always wears in
public. Professional wrestler “Skull Reaper A-ji”
said his fans would not accept him as authentic if
he strayed from his character. Some masked U.S.
wrestlers, and especially the popular Mexican
“lucha libre” wrestlers, share the sentiment.
(At press time, the issue was apparently still
unresolved in Oita.)
At a Jan. 8 public meeting, Cooper City,
Fla., Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi, annoyed with
local activist (and former commissioner) Gladys
Wilson, told her (according to video and audio of
the meeting), “(B)low me.” Wilson, 81, said later
she did not understand what the phrase meant;
Mallozzi said later that she meant only that she
needed to blow her nose.
by Chuck Shepherd
Frontiers of Parenting
Caribou Baby, a Brooklyn, N.Y., “ecofriendly maternity, baby and lifestyle store,” has
recently been hosting gatherings at which parents
exchange tips on “elimination communication”
-- the weaning of infants without benefit of
diapers (as reported in April by the New York
Times). Parents watch for cues, such as a certain
“cry or grimace” that supposedly signals that
the tot urgently needs to be hoisted onto a potty.
(Eventually, they say, the potty serves to cue the
baby.) Dealing with diapers is so unpleasant, they
say, that cleaning an occasional mess becomes
tolerable. The little darlings’ public appearances
sometimes call for diapers, but can also be dealt
with by taking the baby behind the nearest tree.
One parent even admitted, “I have absolutely
been at parties and witnessed people putting their
baby over the sink.”
Can’t Possibly Be True
Washington, D.C.’s WRC-TV reported
in March that a woman from the Maryland suburbs
showed a reporter a traffic citation she had just
received, ticketing her for driving in the left lane
on Interstate 95 in Laurel while going only 63 mph
-- compared to the posted (“maximum”) speed
of 65. The citation read, “Failure of driver ... to
keep right.” The station’s meteorologist noted
that winds that day were gusting to 40 mph and
that the woman might simply have been trying to
control her car.
The principal and head teacher at a
Godalming, England, special-needs school were
reported by employees in March for allowing a
student with self-harm issues to cut herself, under
staff supervision. (Unsted Park School enrolls
kids aged 7 to 19 who have high-functioning
autism.) Teachers were to hand the girl a sterilized
blade, wait outside a bathroom while she acted
out, checking up on her at two-minute intervals,
and then dress the girl’s wounds once she had
finished. The school reportedly abandoned the
policy six days after implementing it.
Last year, according to Chicago’s
WBBM-TV, Palmen Motors in Kenosha, Wis.,
sold a brand-new GMC Terrain SUV to an elderly
couple, 90 and 89, in which the husband was
legally blind and in hospice care, on morphine,
and the wife had dementia and could barely walk.
According to the couple’s daughter, it was her
brother, David McMurray, who wanted the SUV
but could not qualify financially and so drove
his mother from Illinois to Kenosha to sign the
documents while a Palmen employee traveled to
Illinois to get the father’s signature (three weeks
before he passed away, it turns out). An attorney
for Palmen Motors told the TV station that the
company regretted its role and would buy the
vehicle back.
Democracy Blues
The city council of Oita, Japan, refused
to seat a recently elected member because he
20
Unclear on the Concept
Passive possession of child pornography
is not a victimless crime, authorities say, because
by definition a child had been abused in the
creation of the image, but that reasoning was no
relief for New Zealander Ronald Clark, who was
sentenced to three months in jail in Auckland in
April for watching pornographic cartoon videos of
short-statured elves and pixies. A child-protection
activist acknowledged that no child was harmed
in the creation of the Japanese anime artwork, but
insisted that it was still injurious because “(I)t’s
all part of that spectrum.” Clark said he wondered
if he might also be convicted for viewing sexual
stick-figure drawings.
John Leopold, the former county
executive of Anne Arundel County, Md., serving
30 days in jail for illegally forcing his government
security detail and another employee to perform
personal errands, apparently wasted no time in
March displaying a similar attitude toward his
jailers. He quickly demanded that the jailers serve
him a breakfast of Cheerios, skim milk, bananas
and orange juice instead of the scheduled fare.
(Last year, Anders Breivik, the imprisoned 2011
mass murderer of 77 in Norway, famously began a
hunger strike when rebuffed over his 27-page list
of demands, including Internet access and a series
of menu and climate-control improvements.)
Bellenir fled, but he was captured down the street
at a Bank of America trying the same trick.
Strange Old World
Dateline Saudi Arabia: (1) A newspaper
in the capital city of Riyadh reported in April
that three men from the United Arab Emirates
were booted out of a religious festival by Saudi
morality police because they were thought to be
“too handsome” and would make Saudi women
improperly attracted to them. (2) Another Saudi
daily reported in April that a schoolteacher had
agreed to marry her suitor but only provided that
the man take on two of her colleagues as extra
wives. (Saudi Arabia allows men as many as
four.) The newspaper reported that the woman
had rented three apartments in the same building,
signaling that the deal had perhaps been sealed.
Well-Earned Retirement
In March, twin sisters Louise and
Martine Fokkens, 70, announced their joint
retirement after more than 50 years each on the
job -- as Amsterdam prostitutes. (In February, the
minimum age for prostitutes in the Netherlands
was raised to 21, but there is no maximum.) The
twins estimated they had 355,000 client-visits
between them, and Martine noted that she still has
one devoted regular who she’ll have to disappoint.
Louise, though, appeared happier to hang up her
mattress for good because of arthritis. The sisters
complained about the legalization of brothels
in 2000 (with East European women and pimps
out-hustling the more genteel Dutch women) and
ensuing taxation (which required the women to
take on more clients).
Perspective
Animal-rights activists have had
success in recent years making covert videos of
abuses on farms and in slaughterhouses, showing
defenseless animals being cruelly mistreated in
patterns unlikely to be caught by government
inspectors making orderly, rare visits. However, as
The New York Times reported in April, legislators
in Iowa, Utah, Missouri and almost a dozen other
states believe that the greater problem is that such
videos “defame” the operators of these farms and
slaughterhouses, and the states have proposed to
criminalize the activists’ conduct, which might
be “trespassing” in that they gain access only by
subterfuge, for instance, pretending earnestly to
apply for jobs. The typical state legislation would
also require that any such video must immediately
be turned over, not to government or the media,
but to the operator -- allegedly, so the abuse could
be dealt with, but also coincidentally denying the
activists their most valuable tool.
Cultural Diversity
“Traditional
Taiwanese
funerals
(combine) somber mourning with louder, uptempo entertainment to fire up grieving spirits,”
reported BBC News in February. They are tailormade, in other words, for Ms. Liu Jun-Lin, 30,
and her Filial Daughters Band with their acrobatic
dance routines because Liu has the reputation as
Taiwan’s most famous professional mourner.
After the musical festivities, Liu dons a white
robe and crawls on her hands and knees to the
coffin, where she “performs her signature wail.”
Norwegian Wood: A 12-hour TV
miniseries shown this winter on Norway’s
government channel NRK, “National Firewood
Night,” was conceived as a full series, then cut to
“only” 12 hours, eight of which focused entirely
on a live fireplace. Nearly a million people tuned
in to the series, and at one point 60 text messages
came in complaining about whether the wood in
the fireplace should have been placed with bark
up or bark down. “(F)irewood,” said the show’s
host, “is the foundation of our lives.” A New
York Times dispatch noted that a best-selling
book, “Solid Wood,” sold almost as many copies
in Norway, proportional to the population, as a
book’s selling 10 million copies in the U.S.
Imagine the Person Who First
Suggested This: The newest beauty-treatment
rage in China, according to Chinese media quoted
on the Inquisitr.com website in March, is the “fire
facial,” in which alcohol and a “secret elixir”
are daubed on the face and set ablaze for a few
seconds, then extinguished. According to “ancient
Chinese medicine,” this will burn off “dull” skin
-- and also alleviate the common cold and reduce
obesity.
Most of Iceland’s 320,000 inhabitants
are at least distantly related to each other, leading
the country to compile the “Book of Icelanders”
database of family connections dating back 1,200
years. With “accidental” incest thus a genuine
problem, three software engineers recently
created a mobile phone app that allows strangers
to “bump” phones with each other and know,
instantly, whether they are closely related. In its
first few days of release in April, the developers
said it had already been used almost 4,000 times.
Least Competent Criminals
Just Because It Worked Once: Carl
Bellenir, 48, was arrested in San Luis Obispo,
Calif., in February after he had successfully cashed
in, at a Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, several rolls
of pennies that had been stuffed into rolls labeled
for dimes. Bellenir apparently did not realize that
the rolls would be examined later in the day and
so returned the very next morning to the same
bank and tried it again. Police were called, and
Latest Religious Messages
New York City Councilman Dan
Halloran was charged in April with aiding state
Sen. Malcolm Smith’s alleged bribery scheme
to run for mayor -- thus bringing Halloran’s
extraordinary back story light as the first “open”
pagan to be elected to office in the U.S. Halloran
converted in the 1980s to medieval Theodish,
whose outfits and ceremonies resemble scenes
from Dungeons & Dragons -- horns, sacrifices,
Suspicions Confirmed
California street gangs stage fights
whose locations can be accurately predicted
using the same algorithm that anthropologists
use to predict where lions and hyenas will fight in
the wild to protect their own territories. A UCLA
researcher, using the standard “Lotka-Volterra”
equation on 13 equal-sized criminal gangs in the
Boyle Heights neighborhood in east Los Angeles,
produced a table of probabilities showing how
far from each gang’s border any fights were
likely to occur. In the period 1999 to 2002, the
formula correctly showed that about 58 percent of
shootings occurred within 0.2 miles of the border,
83 percent within 0.4 miles, and 97 percent within
1 mile.
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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
feasts, duels using spears and public floggings.
(The Village Voice reported in 2011 that Halloran
was the “First Atheling” of his own Theodish
tribe of 100, called New Normandy, but Halloran
said in April that today he is merely an “elder.”)
The Lord Works in Strange Ways: At
least 11 people were killed and 36 injured on
March 15 in Tlaxcala, Mexico, when a truck
full of fireworks exploded as Catholic celebrants
gathered. Rather than remain in the safety of
their homes, they had been moved to honor Jesus
Tepactepec, the patron saint of a village named
after him.
Recent Icons: (1) In March, a vegetable
wholesaler in India’s Jharkland state decided that
a pumpkin he purchased was so enormous (about
190 pounds) that it must be a reincarnation of
the god Shiva -- and he began worshipping it. A
priest counseled the man to continue his fealty
until the following Sunday, a holiday, after which
he should carve it into pieces for devotees. (2) In
Buri Ram, Thailand, in March, a woman sliced
open a sausage to find the distinctive body of a
very small kitten, which she took to be a symbol
of some sort deserving to be placed onto an altar.
Neighbors gathered to pray to it, also, and several
said they had considered the woman so fortunate
that they played her age (52) in a local lottery, and
won.
Questionable Judgments
An unnamed man was hospitalized in
April in Tucson, Ariz., after firefighters, finding
him unconscious at 3 a m. pinned under an SUV
parked in his driveway, lifted the vehicle and
dragged him to safety. A police spokesperson
learned that the man was trying “a stunt in which
he was going to put the SUV in reverse, jump out
and lay on the ground behind it, have the vehicle
(roll) over him, and then get up and (get back
into) the SUV in time to stop it before it collided
with anything.”
Perspective
While “comprehensive immigration
reform” winds through the U.S. political process,
a few countries (including the United States) have
already severely bent the nationalistic standards
supposedly regulating entry of foreigners. The
U.S., Britain, Canada and Austria allow rich
investors who pass background checks to qualify
for an express lane to residence or citizenship,
and the line is even less onerous in the Caribbean
nations of Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis,
which offer quick citizenship for investments
of $100,000 and $250,000, respectively -- the
latter especially valuable, allowing access to
139 countries including all of Europe. (The U.S.
minimum is $1 million, or half that for investment
in an “economically depressed” area, but the
reward is only a “green card,” with citizenship
still five years away.)
Weirdo-American Community
The man who was “citizen of the year”
in Waynesville, Ohio, in 2006, businessman Ron
Kronenberger, 53, was charged in January with
belt-whipping one of his tenants on his bare
buttocks -- though he had a good reason, he said,
because the tenant was late again with the rent. A
magistrate said he intended to drop the charge in
six months if Kronenberger stayed out of trouble,
but in March, a man who worked for Kronenberger
filed a lawsuit accusing him of spanking him on
four occasions, using a belt and a paddle.
Least Competent Criminals
Questionable Judgment: The Narcotics
Task Force of Jackson County, Miss., arrested
Henry Ha Nguyen, 41, in April as operator of a
large marijuana grow house -- a facility that would
normally reek of the distinctive pot fragrance.
However, Nguyen had thought of that and tried
to mask the smell, but chose the alternative scent
produced by buckets full of what appeared to be
human feces.
Send your Weird News to
[email protected]
or P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, FL 33679.
COPYRIGHT 2006
CHUCK SHEPHERD
DISTRIBUTED BY
UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111;
(816) 932-6600
THE VALLEY PLANET
Amy McCarley and the Kenny
Vaughn Trio at Straight to Ale
by Kallie Ingle Kirk
F
rom the attic of her grandparents’ barn in
rural Alabama, Amy McCarley began honing her performing skills with her first rock
band formed with her grade school classmates.
Her love of music and heartfelt story telling blossomed and flourished into a unique voice described as, “gorgeous” and “warm and organic”.
Her music centers on the types of observations
that maybe only a girl from the south who’s had
some time to explore the world and make some
mistakes along the way can see. Amy says she’s
always admired the ability to conduct emotion
and to convey meaning in that way. She spent some time studying classical guitar at
Rice University in Houston Texas and did some
performing as an accompanist in and around the
trendy Montrose district before returning to Alabama with a degree in Economics and full time
employment with a NASA contractor. She kept
playing locally for over a decade then decided
to take a performing hiatus in order to dedicate
herself to writing, recording, mixing and playing
all the instruments (vocals, guitars, drums, keyboard, mouthharp) on the tracks she put down at
her home for her self titled debut album. The “dark honey register” that is the voice of
Amy McCarley has built a fan base across the
Southeast and her 2011 alternative folk country
debut album continues to receive airplay in several European markets. This album also resulted
in a US West Coast tour in 2012. I asked Amy her thoughts, ideas and plans on a
few things. It goes something like this...
So what are your plans for the future? I want to enjoy the experience of living while
finding ways to be helpful to others. In the very
THE VALLEY PLANET
near future, I am looking forward to playing the
show at Straight To Ale with Kenny Vaughan Trio
on Friday May 17. This will be my first run playing with those guys outside of Nashville and our
first time playing together in Huntsville. It’ll also
be the first time I get to play songs from my new
record with them in its entirety. What is your goal as a musician? In writing, my aim is to express what it is like to
be a human being - in particular, the one that I am,
as honestly as I can. Music brings people together by bringing into focus the similarities of our
experiences. It helps people to not feel alone by
allowing our sameness to shine through so everything else just melts away and goes quiet. Even
if it’s just for a brief little while, it’s beautiful. I want to get out to play the songs on the new
record and share the recording that I feel so fortunate to have been able to make with my incredibly talented new friends in Nashville like co-producer and guitarist, Kenny Vaughan; co-producer,
recording and mixing engineer, George Bradfute;
drummer, Derek Mixon; bassist Michael Rinne;
and mastering engineer, Jim DeMain. I want to
learn and grow as much as I can as a writer, musician and performer. I want to have fun doing all
these things.
Can you tell me about a favorite show?
Oh man. There have been so many shows I’ve
enjoyed for different reasons. They’re all special
to me. Another chance to play for people. Another
chance to try.
About an awful show? Ha. Please see question
about my favorite show. I could tell you about
difficult situations. But those are special too.
What doesn’t kill us...
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How do you feel about digital music?
The digital format has changed music for sure. It
has made it possible for more artists to express
themselves musically; for those artists to potentially reach broader audiences; and for music fans
to experience more artists. At the same time, any
given artist faces a lot more competition for potential listeners’ attention. And music fans can
maybe be overwhelmed by so many choices. But,
the right artist or the right fan can feel pretty lucky
to have the opportunities we have now.
precious. Maybe that’s why. I’m not sure. But I
can see how vinyl is serving a useful purpose. Do you think it will ever replace CD/vinyl? CDs are good because there is a tactile experience. There is information in a tangible item
that comes from an artist. There is the texture
of the packaging materials; the image selection; the design; the information about how the
product was made. For example, who plays on
it; where it was recorded; what the names of the
songs are. Sometimes, there is a lyric booklet. I
like to read lyric booklets. I like to buy CDs at
shows. They can be a kind of souvenir, especially
ones with a personal note added. I have CDs that
represent the time I met an artist whose music
I appreciate. A CD is more than the sound you
hear when you put it in your stereo and hit play.
Do you have any hobbies? Yes. One I’ve been meaning to get back to lately
is gardening. Eating food that you grew yourself
(even if it’s just a tomato and some cilantro) can
be so rewarding. I also like to make or improve
functional items. The last thing I built was a platform bed with storage compartments. That was so
fun! And before that I tiled the fireplace. But I
like to do a lot of things I don’t always find the
time for: camping, cooking, gardening, reading,
traveling.
We are also seeing a resurgence of vinyl sales. I
feel like that’s about people craving the excuse to
slow down and live their lives more deliberately
as much as it is about the sound they make, though
that is certainly a selling point for many who have
that preference. But it’s maybe just as much about
the nostalgia or yearning for a simpler time when
questions were saved up and pondered. Activities
were looked forward to. Everything is so easily
accessible now. There isn’t much of an investment in the experience. The whole exercise can
be completed from desire-to-completion-of-activity so quickly. It’s almost like it didn’t happen.
And it was so easy. Of course convenience is one
area where digital is really an improvement over
other formats. But it’s hard to really call it memorable for its own sake. With vinyl, you have to
work for the experience a little more. You have to
be in a more settled environment. It’s a little more
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
I like all the formats for different reasons. I mean,
you can’t take a record with you in your car. And
you can’t play a CD when you’re on a run. But
CDs are still tactile while being more transportable than vinyl. And vinyl is its own experience.
I feel like all three niches are valid enough to be
sustainable. Maybe CDs will be emphasized even
less. But I figure they’ll at least be an option. For her new album, Jet Engines, slated for release
on CD, digital AND vinyl VERY soon, Amy has
teamed up with Grammy award winning guitarist/
producer, Kenny Vaughn. She teams up with the
Kenny Vaughn Trio for a show here in Huntsville
at Straight To Ale on May 17th at 8:00 p.m.
Again...get out and see a show...support live
music! You’ll be amazed at the talent that lives
amongst us. WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
21
The Valley Planet Music Exchange is FREE to any individual (not businesses) looking to
buy, sell, trade or find bandmates. You get a headline and 3 lines of text for FREE!
Please call (256) 533-4613 or
email your ads to [email protected].
Jazz piano player wanted for experimental collaboration,
256-509-1454
“I’d appreciate referral to a musical techie/engineering
type interestedin a potential project that could become a
business. I have designed anincredibly versatile instrument
that puts a limitless amount of capability in the hands of an
electric guitarist - too versatile to explain in ashort ad. Call
Joe at 256-617-1395 or email to [email protected].”
“I’ll do the cover tunes if we can also try origs. I play el/ac
guitar,all keys, other instruments, and sing lead/harmony.
Seek bassist anddrummer, or already-formed band. Contact
Joe at 256-617-1395.”
Holton Maynard Ferguson ST550 Trumpet for sale.
Includes mouthpieces, cup mute, lyre & music stand. Asking
$500. 256.289.1196.
I am a DRUMMER looking for a Reggae band that needs
an experienced DRUMMER. I have played DRUMS in the
Reggae Mystics (now Kush) as well as with Groove Therapy
in Dayton, Ohio. I have professional DRUMS and PERCUSSION and I am very reliable. If you know anyone who needs
a great Reggae DRUMMER email me at [email protected].
CUSTOM COLLINGS D2HA DREADNAUGHT GUITAR.
Simply a great acoustic guitar. $4000.00 OBO. Email [email protected] or 256-364-0106.
Former professional banjo/guitar/ukulele player and
singer seeks band of geeks masquerading as musicians to
travel around with, play rock/pop/country, specifically 90s,
maybe 80s and 00s stuff. Call or email Alex at 334-268-7403
or [email protected] in Madison area.
Guitar, the ovation guitar and add Fender Acoustic Guitar
with Nylon strings and case $130
Sho-Bud Pedal Steel Guitar, $750. Violin - full size, Hofner
$130. Ovation Acoustic Steel Guitar w/ pick up built in, $125.
Will negotiate all, Quick Sale.
Call Ralph 954-562-5760
Con Trombone for sale. Like new, rarely used. original price $800, asking $280. 256 509 0559
Seeking trumpet, trombone, keys and vocals for 1/2 original 1/2 cover band playing energetic roots based music
(blues, reggae, soul, rock, second line, funk). 256.361.5524.
The Single Guy: Communi-Date
by Aaron Hurd
The Lonely Sunday Morning!
I
touched on this a long time ago where I mentioned the places where I feel the loneliest as a
single. One of those places is Church. Do any
other singles feel this way?
Let me explain before I freak the Bible belt out!
I grew up in Church, I am a Christian and try to
go every Sunday. In fact, I mentioned this before
- my Father is a minister in California for not one,
but two non-denominational churches. So, I am not
talking badly about churches, just the feeling of
loneliness when I attend - you can’t help but think
of family at church, especially when you are surrounded by them.
When I visit a new church by myself, I always feel
awkward and uncomfortable as a single male. Perhaps, females have a different experience, but this
has been mine.
You walk in, if you’re lucky, get a few hand shakes
and sit in a back pew all by yourself. Then we get
to the lesson, that is most likely going to be about
family, husbands and wives, etc. and you look
around and there are a lot of couples, small families
with kids and everyone is “in love”. Sometimes I
am lucky if anyone talks to me at all…how can you
not feel lonely in a situation like this?
I have even tested the theory. I went to one church
for a series of Sundays alone with not much interaction from members, and the minute I had a girlfriend in town visiting and brought her it was like I
FINALLY existed. Got invited to a young couples’
class, lunch, and all…it was humorous but in reality it is kind of sad.
Ever notice that even the singles groups in churches are very click-ish and, most of the time, are led
by a young married couple. That is the first thing
I want to see when I walk into a church singles
group is a married couple telling me how to live a
Christian Single life - see the irony here?
22
Or worse, telling me stories of how when they were
single and God brought that special husband/wife
to them and this could be your story…Well right
now it is not my story! Who wants to hear about
other’s love story when we are trying to find our
love match? Last thing I want to do is hear how
you two found love.
This one really gets to me, so I asked my father,
“Why do churches have married couples teaching
the Single classes?” To which he answered, “It is
a matter of safety.” At the time that satisfied me.
But, thinking about it later really made me realize- THAT RIGHT THERE is THE problem…so
you’re telling me singles in the church cannot be
trusted? Or are not safe? That is what it sounds like
to me! No wonder no one is talking to the Singles!
What really twists my brain is the fact that during
Jesus’ time on earth he walked it as a SINGLE guy
and, he saved the world from sin. Plus, he was a
single guy hanging with single apostles. If we are
supposed to be Christ like, then we should be Christ
like. Yes, Peter betrayed him three times, and so
did Judas….but Jesus never betrayed anyone and
the Church should not be betraying singles, but
embracing them and encouraging them.
Send in your random encounters today. It’s FREE!!
We are putting all the categories together since it seems like there are always more jeers than anything
else!! But just to give you an idea of what the To Yuno from Yunohoos are about… I Saw you: but you
didn’t catch my name, You saw me or you think you were seen: Cheers: Pay your respect to those who
deserve it and of course Jeers: Frustrated? Tell us all about it. Thankfully, we don’t know who you
are!
To send in your FREE ad
1. Keep your word limit to 40 words. No names, just initials if you want.
2. Meet the deadline.
3. Get it to us: Put “To Yuno from Yunohoo” in the subject line of the email and send to classifieds@
valleyplanet.com.
To the long-haired bartender at The B____k in Decatur. You are beautiful. I think I love you. I am the
off duty cop that often wears a Bama shirt at the bar. You’ll know me.
Sen Shadrak McGill - Dude, if you were any dumber you’d have to be fed and watered like a houseplant - A Disbelieving Voter
Hey Sparky, Sorry I can’t swing like I used to – I am broken.
Rocky - Why don’t we not tell what we did? We were both drunk and it won’t happen again. G
TR – Happy Anniversary Loverboy! Three years plus forever! S
TPs- If you could run around a tree at the speed of light you could, theoretically truly go screw yourself.
or, you could just become a Republican. Attributed to Einstein.
Cat lovers; check out the cat in D___’s H_____ in SW Decatur. The only ones bigger than that are in
the circus. Here kitty kitty.
SC – I loved you before I even met you. J
Rev M. If you preach on the evils of adultery one more time I’m going to stand up in church and tell
everyone we did it during marriage counseling. - Jeannie
To Yunohoo: Just because you drive a VW bus doesn’t make you desirable to all. Try being nice. F
Steve: I have packed your lunch pail with green m&ms…Come home for lunch…From YuNohoo
Q to All: Is there really some Yahoo building an ark here in Alabama? If so, where? YOU may answer
thru your Valley Planet. RT
TS - If your wife really is as corpulent as you say and angry all the time, better get her checked for Mad
Cow Disease, Your BFF
TK - I never thought for a moment that a man with an $800 cowboy hat would embarrass it by buying
a cheap gun. yunohoo
To the two a**clowns on Pratt Ave: A residential street is NOT where you two should be doing the
deed! Have some respect! And, get a tan, too!
Doug, You haven’t changed a bit; you still gossip more than sewing circle. ExCo
Mark - Did you really say that the reason you would not buy another dream car exactly like the one that
burned would be like seeing your dead wife’s twin sister at the mall? Pops
A: I can’t come over like I used to – my allergies are killing me. But just know I dream about you! H
Becca: Thanks for taking care of my boy! He IS getting better. S
This being said-It may not even be the Church,
perhaps I am giving off a do not talk to me vibe
on Sunday mornings, and if so, I vow to be more
open to creating relationships in Church with fellow singles, families, senior citizens and all. I will
introduce myself and be more pro-active in creating relationships with his people. Who Knows Maybe in me doing this I will find someone, and
if I do, I promise never to teach a singles class as a
married man- you can mark my words!
Have you experienced this lonely feeling in
church? Any ministers/preachers/elders that want
to comment?
Email me at [email protected]
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE VALLEY PLANET
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
23
better rates plus
a whole lot more!
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you’re automatically upgraded to Redstone
MemberPlus! You’ll get great benefits including
better rates on some loans.
Visit any branch or www.redfcu.org to sign
up and discover the value of membership.
Must be RFCU member to obtain loan. RFCU is an Equal Credit Opportunity
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maintain share account. Loans subject to credit approval. Restrictions apply.
Contact us for details.
Federally Insured by NCUA.
¤¤~ÛÝÛoooj]\^[mgj_
24
#050913052913
VOLUME 11 ISSUE 7
THE VALLEY PLANET

174 - Valley Planet

Transcription

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