162 - Valley Planet

Transcription

162 - Valley Planet

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
#083012091912
READ THE PLANET, IT’S FREE
WWW.VALLEYPLANET.COM
(256) 533 • 4613
AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
The Arts Issue!!
IN THIS ISSUE:
2012-13 THE ARTS, ToY ShoP, Indie Publishing Revolution,
Cafe 153, Roads Less Traveled, James Earl Ray,
Black Hawk Down, The Greatest Calendars on Earth!!
In
The
Planet
august 30 - september 19, 2012
NEXT ISSUE SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
THE VALLEY PLANET
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
#083012091912
203 Grove Ave , Huntsville Al, 35801, phone 256 533-4613
Publisher
Jill Wood
Calendar
Joanie Williams
Lay-Out
Douglas A. Lange
Contributors
Bonnie Roberts
Elaine Nelson
Jackie Anderson
Ricky Thomason
Aaron Hurd
Allison Gregg
Jim Zielinski
Tina Leach
Stephanie Davidson
Jessica Penot
Derrick Lovett
Rusty Michaels
Brian Hudson
Valerie Piette
Thomas V Ress
Amy Stapleton
Diane Lehr
Crystal Vickers
Matthew Kresal
Shawn Bailey
“There can be no great accomplishment without risk.”
-- Neil Armstrong (1930-2012)
Table of Contents
2
Table of Contents
2
Letter from the Publisher
3
Roads Less Traveled (People With Interesting Jobs), Ricky Thomason
4
The Jazz Lounge, Jackie Anderson
5
Adventures in the Tennessee Valley (and a little beyond), Tina Leach
5
The Single-Guy: Communi-Date, Aaron Hurd
5
Party of One, Allison Gregg
6
What Then Must We Do?, Bonnie Roberts
6
Local War Hero Mike Durant
7
Unchained Maladies, Ricky Thomason
7
Unemployed in Huntsville, Shawn Bailey
7
That Was Funny…Ten Years Ago, Thomas V. Ress
8
Music Calendar Begins
9
Strangeland – ToY ShoP’s Latest CD, Brian Hudson
9
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx For Old Stuff That Don’t Suck
9
ReLit: Smokin’ Good Reads Worth A ReKindle, Rick Thomason
10
More Music Calendar
11
VALLEY PLANET ARTS ISSUE INSERT (Pull out pages 11 through 30)
12
UAH Art Events Open to Public
12
UAH Department of Music – Be Heard
13
The Living Christmas Tree 2012
13
Huntsville Ballet Announces a Bold New Season for 2012 – 2013
14
Fantasy Playhouse
16
Merrimack Hall Celebrates Fifth Anniversary Season
17
Alabama Youth Ballet Educates and Entertains
18
Art On The Square Brings Fine Arts Festival to Downtown Athens, Diane Lehr
19
Theatre Huntsville
20
HSO Back By Popular Demand
21
Broadway Theatre League’s 2012 - 2013 Season
22
Share the Magic with the Whole Backstage
23
Independent Musical Productions Announces a Season of Premiers
24
Huntsville Art League – New Opportunities
25
The Indie Publishing Revolution , Amy Stapleton
25
Spotlight on the Arts and the Artistes: Suzan Buckner, Valerie Piette
27
Jeannette King Chaney, Jim Zielinski
27
The People Behind The Painting, Jessica Penot
28
Green Pea Press
28
Renaissance Theatre Presents Your Favorite Shows
29
What’s a “Feminist” Chorus?
30
UAHuntsville Theatre’s Edgy – Thought Provoking Season
30
Window-Smashing Music Director to Lead Huntsville Master Chorale
31
Music Calendar Continues
32
News of the Weird
33
James Earl Ray And The Assassination Of MLK Jr., Rusty Michael
33
Sci-Fi Review: Doctor Who – Shada, Matthew Kresal
34
Regional Calendar
34
Events Calendar Begins
35
Events Calendar Continues
36
More Events Calendar
37
50 Years Old! 60 Years Old! …and Older?, Jim Zieliński
37
More Music Calendar
37
Free Will Astrology
38
Zee’s Rocket City bEAT, Jim Zieliński
38
Café 153 at Bridgestreet, Stephanie Davidson
39
Valley Planet Classifieds
39
Music Exchange
39
To Yuno From Yunohoo
Letter from
the Publisher
W
elcome to the Valley Planet’s Arts
Issue! We are very fortunate to
have such a diverse and rich arts
scene and excited about having this issue
dedicated to the Arts in North Alabama. You
can pull out pages 11-30 and hold onto them
so you will have the schedules handy for the
2012-2013 season of the Arts. We have some
unbelievably talented artists, musicians and
performers right here in our own “backyard”
so get out and see them!
Of course this issue also has all of our
regular articles, calendars and tons of cool
things going on that we don’t want you to
miss out on! If it isn’t in the Valley Planet – it
probably isn’t happening!
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook – we
have tickets to give away!
Support the ARTS!
Jill E. Wood
YOUR AD COULD
BE HERE FOR AS LITTLE
AS $21.25 PER WEEK
so...why isn’t it??
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. Subscriptions to the Valley Planet are now available
for $50 a year in the USA.
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THE VALLEY PLANET
Roads Less Traveled
Recording Studio. He finally had his own recording
studio in a remodeled store building on the home
place. This is where the college education comes
into play big time. The mathematics involved
in each rooms dimensions and soundproofing is
staggering. There are bass traps and diffusers and
certain ceiling shapes to help the “right” sounds
make it to the control and deliver a hundred other
things, over my head.
(People With Interesting Jobs)
by Ricky Thomason
ew among us have not
experienced job envy, the “I’d
like to do what he / she does
for a living” thing. Alas, most of us
are self-imprisoned inside the cages
of our own occupations – cages we
crafted by taking the easy way out,
bad decisions made hastily in youth,
or making no decision at all. “Notchoosing” is choosing, too. By making
no decision we tacitly choose to let
others choose for us. This series will
primarily feature people of the creative
arts and entertainment world, people
who chose for themselves and had the
courage to follow that dream. Envy
turns to admiration.
F
A face ‘ya
gotta love!
If that isn’t confusing enough there is more
than five miles of wires that have to be run and
connected to the recording console. The cost of
fine instruments and astronomical cost of the
board itself is staggering. With that much money
on the line, mistakes can be fatal to the entire
project.
The remixes and mix downs of dozens of separate
tracks takes longer than the recoding of them.
Allen believes it is imperative to have a good “ear”
in the sound business. No matter how badly you
want to do it or how much education you have, if
you have a tin ear your future may be short lived
in the recording and sound engineering world.
Allen Smith knew early on he wanted to work in the music industry, not just as a musician - which he
At Riverland, Allen has engineered and produced
is, a fine one - but all that goes on behind the scenes as well, and it’s a lot.
numerous albums and is the unseen face behind
To work with the best, you best be prepared. Allen graduated from MTSU (Middle Tennessee State a number of black gospel groups as well as rock
University) with degrees in recording industry management and audio engineering. It wasn’t Nashville, and country. Word of mouth has been his only
but it was nearby. As he progressed through school he was able to pick up bits of work at some of form of advertisement.
Nashville’s top studios. You can learn a lot as an assistant, and if you do well you get more and more
Riverland Studios may be a relatively unknown
work.
in the Huntsville area, but his Rolodex is proof
He also ran sound for many of the bands that appear at college campuses and made good contacts there. that the right people know. His rolodex is a
A series of events and hard work led Allen to the position that many envy and see as a great way of life relative Who’s Who of the finest session players
in Nashville, Muscle shoals and beyond. They
– travelling all over the world running sound for some of the biggest acts in the music industry.
Among the artists he has toured with are Tony Emmual, Nason Tacket, Alabama, ZZ Topp, The Judds, visit Huntsville, do their work and leave. You are
Marty Stewart, Travis Tritt, Steppenwolf, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, unaware and that’s exactly how they like it.
Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, Buddy Guy and Gatemouth Brown.
Shortly after this interview Allen accepted a job
The tours made him a world traveler. The endless blur of countries and cities found him all over Europe for a month long European tour with Ariel.
and SE Asia, plus 49 of 50 states in America. (The exception is Hawaii.)
Allen is a guy who not only followed his dream
When you go to a concert and the lights go down and the excitement rises, few people give a thought – he built it.
to who set up the equipment and has everything
Allen may be reached @ Divine Productions
ready for the band to play. These hardworking
LLC (256.685.17400 & Riverland Recording as
people must arrive to set up at least two hours
well as (www.divineonline)
before sound check prior to the show. When the
show is over the same people must break down,
If you know someone in the creative arts the world
pack the equipment into travel cases, and pack it
needs to know more about, write and tell us, (www.
back in the trucks for travel to the next stop on
valleyplanet.com) we may be able to help.
the tour ahead of time; in other words, the crew
is at every show at least four hours longer than
the band.
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If the next show is in Atlanta, or a city reasonably close, they drive the trucks overnight and sleep when
they can. Meanwhile, the band travels in a tour bus, or in some cases fly ahead.
Come hell or high water, the equipment must arrive ahead of the band for the next show. If that involves
plane flights the crew must make sure all of the equipment makes the plane. That transfer can be helped
or hindered by the skycaps. A really good tip in advance often helps grease the way.
Turkey Burgers,
Turkey Wraps,
Turkey Platters
Turkey Salads!
Shake-it -up with
a Shake-a-Soda!
Life on the road can be a lot of fun, but it also can
be tiring and is a strain on personal relationships if
one isn’t very, very careful. When you travel with
nationally and internationally famous bands, there
are many temptations of all types. Allen is funny,
with a quick wit and a sense of irony. He has sacks
of tales of adventures and misadventures about life
on the road, most of which cannot be printed here.
Create your
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Between these tours, Allen, his brother, Bob and
various other friends and helpers built Riverland
*ver fied by 120 day
N
ew Orleans’ Theresa Andersson is coming to the Flying
Monkey Arts Center September 14th in support of her
new release Street Parade. Swedish born, New Orleans
based soul singer Theresa Andersson released her critically
acclaimed sophomore album, Street Parade, earlier this year
on Basin Street Records. A stunning vocalist and a talented
multi-instrumentalist, Theresa is best known for her live
shows, where she crafts complexly layered songs using bevy
of drums, stringed instruments and looping pedals.
THE VALLEY PLANET
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
aff davit.
a
i s eals comeuiin
r!
se
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c
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FREE Clas
Lots of smiles
& friendly service!
Huntsville • 5000 Whitesburg Drive
256-885-3700
3
W
elcome to the Jazz Lounge. For this session, we reach across the ocean to a country that you may
not immediately think of when it comes to smooth jazz.
Poland is fast becoming the nucleus of Europe’s smooth jazz. This is evident with the emergence of musicians
like guitarist Tomasz Kaczmarczyk (To–mas Kaz–mar–zic) and pianist Krzysztof Werminski (Chris–tof). In
2010, Tomasz and Krzysztof formed the band ‘Slow’. This smooth jazz duo has released their debut CD,
“Art Of Silence”, which I think is worth checking out. The more I learn about this one, the more interesting
it is.
“Art Of Silence” has made its way to the U.S.A., and is currently on the smooth jazz charts. The first radio
single from it is “First Impression”. I’m not really worried about a language barrier. After all, music is the
universal language. There are 10 tracks on this CD:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
First Impression (Featuring-Kenny Martin) (4:49)
Wczesna Sjesta (pronounced – v chesna siesta) (means – Early Siesta) (5:55)
Art Of Silence (Background Vocals-Katarzyna “Puma” Piasecka) (6:23)
Na skraju drog (pronounced – na skray u droog) (Featuring-Ania Szarmach)
(means – At The Edge Of The Road) (3:55)
Payola (6:02)
Spokojnie (pronounced – spo koy nye) (means – Easily) (6:56)
Iguana Party (5:06)
Ada (Featuring-Michael Dabrowka) (5:24)
Gender Blender (Featuring-Robert Kubiszyn) (4:58)
Way Out (8:51)
My guest in the Jazz Lounge is one-half of the duo ‘Slow’ – Guitarist Tomasz Kaczmarczyk. Initially, I
reached out to him in early February of this year, and we have been in contact since that time. I took an
immediate interest in the music. If you like your jazz smooth, this works.
Jackie: Welcome to the Jazz Lounge, Tom.
Tomasz: Hi Jackie! It’s great to be here at the Jazz Lounge and communicate with people on the other side
of the globe thanks to the World Wide Web.
Jackie: Congratulations on Slow’s debut CD “Art Of Silence”. It’s well done.
Tomasz: Thank you for your kind words. They are important for us. I speak also in the name of Chris
Werminsky – the other half of ‘Slow’.
Jackie: There’s so much I’d like to ask you. I believe we can always learn from other cultures. You’re from
Poland. What is life like there? What was it like growing up there?
Tomasz: I can tell you that life here now has changed a lot since 1990 – the end of the communism era, and
the main difference is the material side of life. We didn’t have too much of cars, TVs, Hi-Fi, and stuff like
this. We had Russian military bases comparable to West Germany, which had U.S. military bases. We also
could not travel abroad so easy. But the rest of life was pretty much the same like anywhere in the world.
Love, friendship, family, arts, and especially music – these things are making life beautiful for human kind
everywhere – at least I guess so Now, you know we are the world village, so there are McDonalds and Apple
computers here in Poland, and there are CDs with our music in America!
Tomasz: I remember my grandma’s house, where I use to live as a child, was full of music. My uncle played
accordion and guitar. They had a wedding band. My mom and her sister were learning piano and violin at
school. When I heard music during those years, it was like being in heaven – pure happiness and delight.
And, it was just simple music. A few years later, I heard a guy play Beethoven’s ‘Fur Elise’ on grand piano.
It felt like I was thunderstruck. I knew I had to figure out how to do it, and I knew I wanted to do it over and
over again…
Jackie: When did you first start with the guitar, and is that the only instrument you play?
Tomasz: Guitar came naturally, as I had admired my uncle who played electric guitar in the wedding band.
It was in the 70s. I got my first guitar from my grandma when I was maybe 4. It was a funny toy guitar with
its neck fixed to the body with a small screw. I swallowed that screw a few months later after the guitar had
been broken down, and this story was widely discussed in the whole family. They keep on reminding me
of this even now. I got my first real acoustic guitar at the age of 14. I am mostly self-taught, but I met some
great players who shared their knowledge with me. I wish I could play other instruments like piano, drums,
sax, and trumpet, but I am too slow to learn.
Jackie: Any other family members in music?
Tomasz: Not professionally. My uncle’s wedding band had lost in competition with electronic music a long
time ago.
Jackie: Please give us a sense of what it was like
working on the compositions?
Tomasz: We used various methods to compose.
Sometimes I make Part A of the piece, and Chris
made Part B. Sometimes he sends me some
background harmony, and I write the melody on top
of that. Sometimes we work separately, and that will
be heard on the next album – hopefully next year.
Jackie: What is the official website?
Tomasz: www.slowmusic.pl
Jackie: I know that “Art Of Silence” can be found at
CD Baby. Where else is it available?
Tomasz: You can also find it on iTunes and
amazom.uk. All of the retail links are also on the
official website.
Tomasz: Chris is my best friend since high school.
When we first met, we directly established a band
at school, and kept on playing together for some
more years after. Then, our paths split, and we
met again a few years ago. Then – why not play
together some old and new tunes? – Wow – It was
wonderful feeling again, because we understand
each other without words
when it comes to musical
issues. I started to record our
jams at my home studio, and
after a few weekends in 2009,
it was clear that we have a
demo of the full-size album.
That was cool. So, we started
searching for musicians, and
I called Kenny Martin who
was gigging in Poland at the
time. He said he would play
this stuff with pleasure, and
he IS really a guy who played
a bit here and there. Check
him out. Then, we were
lucky to get Robert Kubiszyn
on the bass, and my favorite
saxophonist in Poland –
Leszek Szczerba. I feel very honored that all the
wonderful guys played our music with us. It was
one of the best experiences in life till now (when
dressed – as Miles Davis use to say)…
Jackie: Any new projects coming up?
Tomasz: The name ‘Slow’ came as my general
attitude in life, which now becomes a world fashion
– you have Slow Food and Slow Life movements
for few years, and I have always been slow Just
kidding, but not completely…you need to be in
harmony with yourself to feel good – so what’s the
hurry?
Jackie: What kind of gigs have you had? For those
of us who haven’t had the chance to experience a
show by ‘Slow’, what can one expect?
Tomasz: This year, we’ve played in the clubs and
medium events here in Poland. We are prepared for
bigger stages as well and ready to travel around the
world, wherever people would like to listen to from
us. We would love to come to Alabama as soon as
that is possible. � It can take some time probably,
but we are patient and stubborn. Our gigs are more
energetic and free-minded than the tracks from the
studio that you can hear on the album. The tunes
that are 5 minutes on CD often take 10 minutes or
more. You can find some live cuts on our YouTube
channel. I recently heard someone saying: If playing
music is like walking or running, the improvising on
stage is like FLYING. There is magic happening
sometimes, and I am thankful anytime it happens to
me, no matter if I’m on stage or in the audience.
Tomasz: This is the question! I am absorbing all the music around me ever since I can remember, and that
music is becoming an integral part of me. The artists that I keep on listening intensively to for over 20 years
are: J.S. Bach, Frederic Chopin (who was a native of Poland), The Beatles, Queen, Charlie Parker, Miles
Davis, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Sting, and many, many more. On
the smooth side – big three: Fourplay, Spyro Gyra, and Mezzoforte. I also want to recommend to you some
great Polish world-class musicians, saxophonist Tomasz Szukalski (who just passed away a few days ago), Jackie: “Art Of Silence” is your debut album. Of
trumpeter Tomaxz Stanko, pianist Leszek Mozdzer, and guitarist Jarek Smietana.
the 10 tracks, my favorites include: the title track,
“Iguana Party”, “Payola”, and “Wczesna Sjesta”
Jackie: Poland is being described as fast becoming the nucleus of Europe’s smooth jazz. I’m sure this can (Early Siesta). Do you have a particular favorite,
be attributed to bands like ‘Slow’, who are making quite an impact. What can you tell us about the smooth and if so, why?
jazz scene in Poland?
4
Tomasz: Well, I love them all and sometimes I
hate them too! Like with the children. During
the mixing, just too much listening to. But, ‘Early
Siesta’ is a special one – and reminded us of school
times when we created it.
Jackie: ‘Slow’ was founded in 2010 by you and
Krzysztof Werminski. Tell us about Krzysztof and
how you got together.
Jackie: There’s the obvious curiosity regarding your
selection of the name ‘Slow’ for the group.
Jackie: When did you first become interested in music?
Jackie: Who were your musical influences?
Tomasz: I can tell you that Poland has a very specific
jazz landscape. We have a very strong mainstream
and ‘avant garde’ scene, but contemporary or
smooth jazz is not always appreciated, and even not
recognized as real “jazz” of full rights and value.
For me, it doesn’t really matter how we call it. Like
Pat Metheny, I love to play music in every genre
and style. I even played in a bluegrass band here
in Poland for a while…But coming back to your
question – it’s really true that sax player Marcin
Nowakowski did a lot for this genre in Poland. He
was the first one brave enough to play and call his
music simply “smooth”. Marcin is coming from a
legendary Polish supergroup called ‘Woobie Doobie
– really grooving! Their first album called ‘The
Album’ was also our big influence. Then, Marcin
released two solo albums described as smooth
jazz, and they have been successful internationally.
Also, we are very lucky to have our debut album
extremely warmly welcome in the U.S.A., U.K.,
Germany, Switzerland, and Japan. So, there is really
something happening about smooth jazz in a small
country like Poland.
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
Tomasz: Yes. We are working continuously but not
together at the moment. As soon as we have enough
stuff (and money) we will get together in the studio
and record a new album. In my opinion, it will
be very different from the debut, but you will still
find there what is important
for SLOW music - melody,
harmony, and groove!
Jackie: By the way, have you
ever been to the U.S.A.?
Tomasz: Not yet. I’ve traveled
a lot over Europe and Russia,
but never crossed the Atlantic
Ocean. This is my dream
– to spend at least one month
driving across your huge and
wonderful country, from east
coast to the west coast. I
will do it someday – or I will
come with ‘Slow’ to play gigs
– whatever happens first would
be fine.
Jackie: What would you like to say to your fans in
the U.S.A.?
Tomasz: I want to thank all our fans in the U.S.A.
for the many compliments and warm welcome you
have given to my music. We hope that you can feel
our emotions put in the music, as they are expressed
in the most universal language of sounds. I promise
you that we will keep on making music as good as we
can, and I ask you for your further support because
it’s our fuel to go on. I say that also on behalf of
Chris Weminsky and all of Slow’s musicians.
Jackie: Can you recommend any places to check
out for smooth jazz in Poland?
Tomasz: There are not too many sites in English, but
check this: http://www.polishhazz.blogspot.com/.
It’s a general jazz site, so you have to search a little
to find something that suits your taste.
Jackie: Well, Tom, thank you for being my guest,
and sharing some of your time in the Jazz Lounge.
Regards to Chris. Thanks for the music. I know
we’ll keep in touch.
Tomasz: It was my pleasure. Thanks, Jackie, for the
invitation. I’m going to tell Chris how well we are
treated in America. See you soon.
Check out “Art Of Silence” by ‘Slow’, and find
out why this duo is now getting attention here in
the states, as they are in their homeland of Poland,
and other parts of the world. It’s great being able
to connect with artists around the world who are
passionate about and share a love of music.
I can be reached at: [email protected].
Until next time, stay cool, & keep it jazzy!
THE VALLEY PLANET
Adventures in the Tennessee Valley
(and a little beyond)
The Single Guy:
Communi-Date
Anyway. Good talking to you. Keep it coming.
I agree with him completely! In fact, I have laid
low for some time now when it comes to dating
out here because of the same reasons. I like his
by Tina Leach
by Aaron Hurd
line “No one waits down here”, which can tie in to
the last article on if it is good to take a break after
Grapes Need Not Apply
Time Waits for No Man or Woman
a break up or bounce to the next relationship? I
always felt like a break is good, but I have seen
[Note: I am aware that this is the Arts
wo issues ago I wrote about women’s more and more people bouncing into a new
Issue, but given the fact that this winery
biological clocks (Tic Toc) and asked if that relationship in record time. In fact, some are
(much like the Tolkien universe) began
causes some women to settle and rush into a engaged and married again right away after they
with a song, it is very on topic.]
marriage, a relationship, and baby making? To my just ended another one.
surprise, not one female replied to my questions.
However, many guys had something to say about I will tell, based on one email I received from that
nfiltered
the subject. I asked if I missed the boat because I article (To break or not to break), as long as we
Unpasteurized
am in my early thirties and if I should have settled are younger than sixty we still have time brother!
Unaged
down in my twenties…basically “did I miss my Ha-ha She explains it like this…
window of opportunity?” It was about pressure
As soon as you enter the building, you
from society on the question “why are you still Read your article in the Valley Planet and thought
will know what the wine is NOT. There’s
single?” and how men and women face the it quite good. You raised some interesting points
even a sign on the door that boasts a lack
pressure everyday, especially women because of and questions, me being single also (this is not
of a certain vine growing fruit. Grapes
their “Biological Clock”. Here is one of the many a come-on). You didn’t say your age, but one
are shunned here. Not allowed. Like
emails I received from one of the guys.
droids in a bar on Mos Eisley. All other
thing to factor in for certain: if you’re under
fruit: we’ll talk.
sixty, then, sure, be picky and look around and
I love your column. I’m a 35 year single male take your time. But if you’re older than that,
Mad County Winery is located at 121 Castle Drive in that mezzo Huntsville, mezzo Madison area off living in Huntsville. Every month your words are you might want to consider how much time do
Slaughter Road. Just follow the signs. I don’t mean wait for the birth of a three headed goat or anything spot-on and speak the truth to our situation.
you have to spend “looking?” And the older you
like that (although there was a meteor shower the night we went), just follow the actual signs posted.
get, no reasonable woman wants a partner who
And when you’re on Castle, right at the point where you are sure you must have passed it, it will be on In response to Tic Toc, I think it’s where we live. conceivably could be looking for a “nurse and
Even in the 21st century, here in the South it’s a purse.” So just beware - “Time waits for no
your left. (madcountywinery.com)
still traditional to pressure people to get married one.”
All fruit wine. Made from real fruit. Cotton Williams (owner along with wife Melinda) came up as soon as they hit puberty. Ok, maybe not that
with the idea when he heard Deana Carter sing a song about Strawberry Wine. He then rushed to the soon but I can’t tell you how many young couples I love the fact you stress “this is not a come on”
store to buy this delicious sounding beverage only to find that strawberry wine is just grape wine with I see every day between the ages of 18-21. No one –WHY NOT!?! Kidding!
strawberry flavoring. He realized that in order to drink strawberry wine, he’d have to make strawberry waits down here. Consequently, I hear about
divorced young couples all the time.
wine.
Well, based on your email, at least I know I have
28 more years to find someone before I FINALLY
And what options does that leave a 35 year old settle down. Maybe I should order those little blue
So he did.
man in terms of dating in Huntsville? Well, I pills now, stock up for my lovin’ sixties! Ha-ha
And then he added Apple, Peach, Strawberry-Rhubarb, and a Lemon-Lime-Apple (also called think you know my answer. I’ve given up trying
to date while living here. I don’t want to date girls
AlaBAMArita).
half my age and I certainly don’t want to marry a Thanks for the emails and for reading, if you
I first tasted the wine at the Valley Planet Christmas party. It was sweet. It was tasty. It was smooth. thrice divorced traditional southern woman who would like to add to the comments email me at
It packed a wallop. It’s 20% alcohol by volume. That’s 40 proof in old moonshine terms. Needless to decided to listen to her biological clock instead of [email protected]!
common sense when the divorce rate for young
say, it (figuratively of course) knocked me on my butt.
couples keeps going up.
The strawberry was my favorite, but sadly it’s been doing well in sales. They were out. I settled for
strawberry-rhubarb. The next time we went, Melinda was nice enough to make me a bottle. While she
was in the back, Cotton informed me that he was little more than a figurehead in this operation. He
credits her with pretty much all you see.
T
U
The winery is open Tuesday-Friday 1 to 7, and 11 to 9 on Saturday. Go in. Sample some wine. You
can sample everything that’s currently for sale. And if you’re good, you might get an early preview
of what’s to come. We got to try the cranberry, huckleberry, and two different types of watermelon.
Still waiting to try that banana. Sometimes they even will mix the wines with ginger ale or 7-up for an
additional treat.
The actual winemaking facility (which I got a tour of) was described by Cotton as a sort of Dexter’s
Laboratory. Makes sense, but I think it needed a good Jacob’s ladder and maybe a few random
Erlenmeyer flasks to sell it though. It was very interesting and I got to hear some great government
approval stories. Every inch of that place had a story and we were standing on three.
On your second trip, you become a Wine Head and they’ll put your picture on the wall.
Prices are reasonable. 11 bucks will get you a liter of wine. And it comes in a moonshine jar. (It’s legal
though. I promise.)
One-Eyed Doll at
Crossroads September 1
collective. More on the road than off these days,
One-Eyed Doll dedicates themselves daily to the
increasing demands of their digital legions.
ne-Eyed Doll comes to Crossroads in
Huntsville on Saturday, September 1 and
touring in support of their new record
Dirty. Tickets are $14 in-advance and $18 day-of.
One-Eyed Doll will take the stage at 8:00 PM.
It is those legions of fans who helped to
independently finance and release three fulllength albums, Hole (2007), Monster (2008) and
Break (2010) through their website alone and
they’ve done it yet again with their newest release
Dirty.
This loud rock duo is very much a creative and
symbiotic partnership between songwriter,
vocalist, guitarist and performance artist Kimberly
Freeman and producer-drummer Jason “Junior”
Rufuss Sewell that began just a few years ago in
Austin, TX.
Halloween meets Valentine’s Day. Barbara
Streisand meets Butthole Surfers. Dresden Dolls
meets Dolly Parton. Beefcake the Mighty meets
Strawberry Shortcake. These are just a few of the
names that come up in conversations when trying
to describe One-Eyed Doll’s sound.
Since then they’ve won multiple SXSW awards
at three consecutive festivals, Freeman has been
listed as Guitar Player Magazine’s “top 20 most
extraordinary female guitarists of all time” and
as one of Revolver Magazine’s “hottest chicks in
hard rock” and they amassed over one million fans
on You Tube in the past year.
www.oneeyeddoll.com
www facebook.com/
oneeyeddollfans
www.twitter.com/
oneeyeddoll
www.youtube.com/
oneeyeddollvideos
O
They also built an impressive and loyal global fan
base much like a modern day patrons of the arts
THE VALLEY PLANET
#083012091912
Who I Am
n a rare occasion, I hear a song, fall in
love, download it and play in incessantly.
The first time I heard Some Nights by Fun,
I was working my way though a set of shoulder
presses. I liked it immediately, especially when
I heard the line about looking into my nephew’s
eyes.
Every so often you can catch my fist
pumping at my desk as the song pours out of my
ear buds. I wanted so desperately for it to be my
theme song, since so much of it applied to me:
bad luck, a gifted (and ungifted) mouth, waiting
for this chapter to end because I could use some
friends, and the ghost of love done gone. Every
bit of it could be pulled from my life. Until the
line where he asks himself, “What do I stand
for?” His reply, “Most nights I don’t know…”
shook me.
O
Damn, this can’t be my summer song. I know
what I stand for. Even if I’m a little shaky on
some ideals, I can’t admit that I don’t know what
I stand for. I can’t align myself with this song.
Quickly following this revelation came a series of
incidents that wove themselves together to show
me not only do I know what I stand for, but also
that I’ll fight for it. The most important thing
anyone can stand for is themselves.
A kind reader suggested I use less offensive
language in my blog. If I did, they’d read more.
I smiled, and thanked them for reading. They
wrote back, reoffering their increased reading,
if only I’d change. Again, a smile crossed my
face, but quickly faded. Change who I am? For
a stranger? Adjust my personality to appease one
person? A flurry of expletives poured out of my
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
mouth. I love colorful language. A dirty joke
delights me to no end. I was raised with boys;
fart and butt jokes were common and remain my
favorite subjects.
Working in a high-pressure job for corporate
America comes with its own set of stressors. If
you’re the happiest when making up stories that
create genuine laughter, editing your mouth to fit
in magnifies the stress. Corporate America and I
got together two years ago. It helped me fulfill
a dream of moving to the beach. I am blessed
to be part of a group doing amazing things. I’ve
met wonderful people. But I’ve had to change.
It hasn’t been easy. I saw myself becoming
more serious, less comical (and certainly nonoffensive). At the same time, internal frustration
grew high. One day I decided no more hiding my
humor. I decided it was time to honor who I am.
To stand for myself.
After many thoughtful days, this is what I came
to: Who we are is a culmination of our ancestors
and experiences. To neglect or change a piece of
us means neglecting that which developed us. To
clean my mouth means to forget my upbringing.
Everything I am comes from everything behind,
around, and before me: my nanny’s love of a good
cocktail, my mom’s wandering soul, my aunt’s
competitiveness, my dogs’ endless love, my
journey’s pitfalls and rises. I am a foul-mouthed,
restless, competitive soul who loves endlessly
through ups and downs. And I love it.
I won’t change. I won’t. Neither should you.
Stand for yourself. Stand for yourself even when
the world is telling you to change. Love who you
are. Let the rest of the world sing its own song.
5
There was a moment, an extended moment of
silence. The Chief of Police, the Sheriff, and two
other citizens held an impromptu meeting in a
corner of the classroom. Dad stood at the podium,
Sunday school lesson in hand.
When the group broke up, it was the Sheriff who
spoke.
ne Sunday, my father resigned from church.
O
My father was a low-volume, and highly respected, bootlegger. Florence, at the time of my
growing up was “dry.” Just over the Tennessee line, however, booze rolled down the hills in amber
rivers.
“Bill, we all appreciate what you have done for us
in the past. However, the past is the past. There
ain’t nobody here that don’t know the past is dead
and gone.” He looked knowingly around the room.
I guess that was for the benefit of the two for whom
my Daddy had never bootlegged whiskey, but
might choose to talk about this infamous “Sunday
School of Truth.”
“What we have decided, Bill, is that you need to
tender your resignation as of this moment; and,
Daddy would take just a few orders, enough to put in the trunk of his car, not too much to get arrested as
if you speak of your activities concerning certain
a “big timer.” Some of his most well-known customers were the mayor, the Chief of Police, the County
people, we might have to ask you to leave the
Sheriff, and a good number of the Sunday school class where he taught every Sunday - at a large and
church as one who spreads false rumors about his
well-known Florence church.
neighbors.”
It’s hard to imagine my daddy as a Sunday school teacher. When I asked him how he figured out what
was said by man in the Bible and what was said by Jesus, he answered, “Always look for words that go
completely opposite to what the world would say—like, if a man steals your coat, give him your other one,
because he has greater need of it than
You - that’s Jesus.”
I bet the top of Daddy’s bald head glowed like the
fire that took down Sodom. He leaned back in this
stance he used to take when dealing with idiots. In
an unexpected voice that was soft but firm, he said,
“Hypocrites and liars, you do not have to carry
the onus of firing me from this Sunday school or
When the time for the “Yes” and “No” vote came up, as it did every year, to make Florence “wet” or to
threatening to oust me from this church. I hereby
keep her “dry,” all the hypocrites, Daddy told me, came out in droves to keep Florence “dry.” This was
resign, and will never step foot in this church - or
one of Daddy’s many soapboxes, and he passed just about all his soapboxes of injustice down to me.
any other church - for the rest of my life.”
One Sunday, close to election time, the vote for wet or dry came up in Sunday school. Daddy called it
Before he walked out, he left them with these words
“the separating of the goats from the lambs.” Every year, Daddy’s was the only “goat” vote. And every
of wisdom: “Find yourselves another (blanketyyear, everybody acted all scandalized.
blank) bootlegger.”
This one year, Daddy made a fine argument for “wet”: Tennessee was getting all the tax money because
True to his word, he never walked back in, and his
folks in North Alabama were driving the few miles over the State Line to buy their whiskey and beer. Why
bootlegging fell off considerably.
not keep the money in Alabama, a poor state, and use the taxes to improve schools, roads, or whatever the
state most needed?
The only time he was “forced” to attend a church
was on my wedding day - but in what he called a
Grumbling among the class began. And the point was made that Florence, “a godly area,” would be
“smart church.” His funeral memorial was held,
selling its soul to the Devil.
per his request, at a local funeral home.
Daddy almost broke down laughing, and also cut his own throat, though it was in the name of truth and
My dad always believed in God, but never in
what was right. “You hypocrites!” Daddy bellowed. And then, he sealed his fate by pointing. He had
organized religion, which he felt Christ would have
never pointed before.
been in opposition to as well. He never passed a
chance, either, to climb on a soapbox to tell of his
“Bob, I bring you a gallon of Jack Daniels every two weeks. And Bill (the Chief of Police or the Sheriff),
resignation from this particular church.
you’ve always asked me to sit down and have a drink with you at your kitchen table as a way of saying
thanks. And Tom, we haven’t partaken together, but I’ve never failed to get your order to you, and I’ve
I am glad my dad lived to see Florence go “wet.”
seen you stash it beneath your kitchen sink.” And on he went, indicting most of the class, except for one
After all the years of being “dry,” a large, corrupt,
or two.
underground system of bringing in booze was
discovered. And until this day, Florence is allegedly
Everyone looked like hound dogs, pretending to be asleep on their paws and trying to hide behind those
plagued with prostitution, Mafia-run businesses,
great big ears. However, my daddy went on, chopping his own head right off.
and illegal gambling that came with illegal booze.
“Are we Christians of integrity or those who do one thing in public, another in private? I know we’re
That’s what hypocrisy will get you, won’t it, Dad?
all hypocrites in some way, but this is ‘blatant hypocrisy,’ and I don’t think Jesus Christ would approve.
The Devil.
Since most of you are already bringing floods of liquor into Alabama, why not make it legal, out in the
open, where good things could benefit from the taxes?”
(The names and occupations have been changed
to protect the uninnocent.)
Local War Hero Mike Durant
n Tuesday, September 11th, the Art Krewe and Huntsville Young Professionals (HYP) are
honored to host local war hero and POW Mike Durant, who will give a special, one-night-only
presentation on leadership. The event will take place at 6:00pm at the Huntsville Museum of
Art, with a reception and book signing to follow.
O
Mr. Durant’s epic story of capture, survival, and escape during a combat operation in Mogadishu,
Somalia in 1993 was depicted in the critically acclaimed book – and movie of the same name – “Black
Hawk Down.” He now lives in Huntsville with his wife and six children, and serves as president and
CEO of Pinnacle Solutions, Inc., a service-disabled, veteran-owned simulation and training company.
“We were thrilled when Mike accepted our offer to speak on September 11th. He is a true American
hero, and one that our generation in particular looks up to and respects,” says Bronwen Murray, who
handles professional development for HYP and is an Art Krewe member. “We couldn’t be happier to
host an event like this, where Huntsville can come together, hear a patriot’s story, and honor those that
serve our country.”
Mr. Durant’s presentation will focus on the events surrounding the combat operation and will incorporate
lessons about leadership and teamwork. He will also be taking questions following the presentation,
some of which can be submitted ahead of time at www.facebook.com/HuntsvilleYP.
Ticket prices are $20 for HYP members, $30 with id for active and retired military and DOD employees,
and $45 for general admission. A portion of ticket proceeds and any book sales from the evening will
be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and
empowering the nation’s wounded warriors.
6
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
THE VALLEY PLANET
Unchained Maladies
That Was Funny…Ten Years Ago
by Thomas V. Ress
by Ricky Thomason
I
here are some things that just don’t need to be anymore. I was reminded of this recently when we went
to a concert in Nashville and had to endure the ridiculous encore charade at the end of the concert. You
know the drill; the band hits the last note of the last song of the last set, thanks the crowd, puts down their
instruments and leaves the stage as the stage lights dim. The crowd then gives the requisite standing ovation and
claps and stomps wildly until—surprise!—the band returns, seemingly astonished at the prolonged applause, and
gives up another couple of songs.
T
f you have watched very many old westerns, chances are you have
seen some poor horseless man slogging through the shifting sands of
dessert lands. He is lost. He is starving to death, but dying of thirst.
He wants to just give it up, but the shimmering heat creates mirages of
oasis’s and the promise of a little shade and cooling waters, maybe a
river just ahead. The hope that things will soon get better allows him to
stagger on just a little farther.
Do we really need to go through this pretense? Everyone knows that the last song is not really the last song; it is
de rigueur at any concert these days to demand an encore. Kinda devalues the idea of an encore don’t ya think?
You’re supposed to earn an encore, now every mediocre band gets the “we want more” routine. If the band gives
an over the top performance and the crowd really wants to hear more then by all means give it up for the band. But
let’s ditch this tiresome routine for anything less.
By this time there is a flock of buzzards circling overhead. There is little
wonder that the ghastly birds ride the currents of wind on wings of black
toward the smell of the carrion of the dead, but their slow spiral above
those who yet cling to life puzzles.
Can the horrid things smell the coming of death as well? It’s as if they
can see or smell the approach of the pale horse that bears the Grim Reaper clad in hooded black robe,
carrying the scythe with which a few sweeping strokes harvest the souls of the dying, and carry them to
Charon that he may ferry them across the river Styx into hell.
Who knows of vulture culture? It may not be coincidental that Charon and carrion are spelled and
pronounced similarly?
If you are among the poor, and the dying middle class, look above you. The vultures circle, ride their
wings of silver on current trends. Slowly they spiral and wait impatiently for their turn to land their
corporate jets at airports near you.
Death’s coarse, hooded suit of black has morphed into coarse hoods in black $2000 suits. The legendary
scythe that harvested the souls of mythology has been made real in the third world and miniaturized into
handmade ballpoint pens worth more than your car, luxury tools with which a few short strokes harvests
for profit your American Dream: jobs and everything else you have, had or hoped to have is mowed to
the ground, milked dry until they are straw, raked into windrows of windfalls and baled with taxpayer
bailouts. Thousands of Charons ferry the lot of it across the ocean Styx and deliver it into various hells
where poor souls of all ages are grateful to work themselves to death at your former job at corporate
wages of sin.
To be ridden over roughshod is never fun, but when the hobnailed boots are Gucci wingtips it is the
ultimate insult added to the gravest of injuries to you and your family. A shroud of gray depression
descends from the blackest of clouds, breeds with blue helplessness and births a red, slow-burning
anger. That anger can burn itself out, or be vented slowly. If left bottled-up to burn to meltdown it can
explode into white-hot rage called another inexplicable tragedy, something that makes more nuts buy
more guns and become ever more likely candidates to join the party, too.
The devil laughs to see such a sport because his vultures of all kinds get fatter and fatter as their prey
pray just to be seen praying before high school football games. They argue among themselves over
which sinners Jesus hates the worst and which self-appointed saints He loves the most. Even if the
poorest among them glance skyward they can’t see the vultures circling. Their view is blocked by the
pie in the sky.
Unemployed
in Huntsville
There’s a Space Sounds 10 CD Set. This is when I
get really suspicious. I’ve never really figured out
the whole tree in the forest thing, but I know from
high school that there are no sounds in space. Nice
try. My momma didn’t raise no fool. And I’m an
only child. I mean, just in case you were thinking
she might have raised another fool, like I had
by Shawn Bailey
brothers and sisters or something. What I’m saying
was recently swimming through waves of is it doesn’t matter to me. Six and a half one way, a
Internet pages, searching for things that measure dozen the other.
minuscule energy fluctuations. I think I’m going
to replicate some of Dr. Duncan MacDougall’s There’s a stress thermometer. I wasn’t aware that
experiments, but that’s another story. On that note, my temperature fluctuated when I stress. I guess this
does anyone have any small animals that are not makes sense. When I have a temperature of 103, I’m
pretty stressed. And they have a Biofeedback Stress
doing well?
Eraser. So . . . I could hook this up to the stress
Anyway, I come across this New Age site that thermometer and voila, I’ve just cured pneumonia.
offers EMF detectors. You know, the ones the ghost
hunters wave around near electrical outlets in old There’s a white noise machine which sounds like
houses before going, “Hey, did you hear that?” And 500 librarians telling you to hush, all at once. I
I notice a huge selection of links. Light therapy, can just record 500 librarians doing this myself. I
just have to get 500 – wait – ahh, the genius of it.
detoxification, biofeedback, stuff like that.
They’ve done all the work there. Touché.
They have a listing for a sleep pillow. Hmm, I already
have one of those. I suppose with specialization, They have a Healing at the Speed of Sound book.
niche markets, and granular economic taxonomies Sound travels at 1,126 fps. That means that if I get a
at work, people now have separate pillows for each two inch cut on my forearm, I will heal in D = RT or
quantified function. A fighting pillow. A smother- T = D/R . . . so, T = 2/12 / 1,126, = 1/6756 = .00014
your-mother-in-law pillow. A dog-humping pillow seconds. That’s quicker than Wolverine. Hell yeah.
(our lab has sent more than one of our pillows
to the washing machine). At any rate, I have that There’s a New History Generator CD, which I
guess, as you’re playing it, is by default creating
covered.
new history. An event horizon for forward moving
There’s a listing for relaxing with CD’s. I’ve got my reality. These guys are probably physicists.
Manson, Lennon, and Hugo Rock.
Then, under Behavior Modification, they have a
There’s a listing for Awakening Through Sound. listing for a Happy for no Reason Paraliminal CD.
It’s $69.95. My alarm clock cost 7 bucks. And it has Again, I’m no expert on cause and effect, but if you
listen to the CD and then become happy, isn’t the
a snooze button.
CD the reason for your happiness? The only way to
There’s a Self-Hypnosis Home Study course. I think effectively market this product would therefore be
I’ve already ordered and taken this. I’m not sure, to not sell it, and see if it still worked. And there’s
that word I don’t understand. Paraliminal. So I
though. I’ll just buy another one to make sure.
I
THE VALLEY PLANET
#083012091912
There’s a lot of this kind of stuff that has more than run its course:
Do we need to see the winning coach taking a Gatorade shower after a victory? When Bill Parcells took the first
Gatorade dunking in 1985 it was funny for about one season, a genuine surprise for an unsuspecting coach in that
first year. Nowadays you can almost see the coach searching the sidelines plaintively looking for players who
think he did such a fantastic coaching job that he deserves this sham celebration. “Hey guys, did I do good? Soak
me, pleeeeese.” There’s nothing more hackneyed than a surprise that’s a surprise only when it doesn’t happen.
How about the moron who yells “In the hole!” every time a pro golfer hits a golf ball? Can you be more annoying?
I have a better shout out for you: “Shut the %#$& up!”
Guys with earrings. The last guy who looked good with an earring was George Michael.
While we’re on male jewelry, the price of gold is at an all-time high. Good time to ditch the gold necklaces
and bracelets guys, thus erasing the aura that you are an aspiring porn star. The only guys who wear gold chain
necklaces and bracelets anymore either drive Camaros or are Flava Flav.
Reality TV has just about played itself out, thank God. You can sense this genre has jumped the shark when you
have a reality show with D list celebrities like Todd Palin and Nick Lachey playing soldier (with “Live ammo! Real
explosives! Real danger!”). This while we have real soldiers still shedding real blood in a real war overseas.
I know you spent big bucks for that tribal tattoo but I just saw not one but four folks in Walmart who were well
past their 50th birthday sporting Chinese symbols and barbed armbands. That says one of two things: 50 year olds
are getting tattoos regularly or the tattoo fad is so passé that people who got theirs when they were still in style are
now well past middle age. Either way, that tat you got to show your individuality now says, “Look at me, I’m so
last century!”
The soul patch. Unless you’re Apolo Ohno.
That’s it; I’m heading out the door to a Culture Club concert. Maybe Boy George will sing “Do You Really Want
to Hurt Me?” again if I clap really loud.
looked it up on WordWeb. And the Wiktionary. And
Wikipedia. And WordWeb online. And Google.
Turns out there are no definitions. Because it’s a
made-up word. Like flinginburl. Or scrudulous. I
did find another site that explained it. Para means
beyond, and they give use paraliminal instead of
me that nasty blow word a subliminal job. The
sub means below. So one is below the threshold of
consciousness and the other is beyond the threshold
of consciousness. See the difference? So instead
of learning Spanish while you sleep, Paraliminal
is based on two, separate voices talking into each
ear, one spouting logical things and the other
saying creative things. Listen to poetry in one ear
and learn sin and cosine in the other. Completely
scrudulous, if you ask me. I can just visit someone’s
grandparents. Problem solved.
They also state that “You may be pleased to
know that there are no subliminal messages on
Paraliminal recordings.” They also state that “You
may be pleased to know that there are no subliminal
messages on Paraliminal recordings.”
They also state that “You may be pleased to
know that there are no subliminal messages on
Paraliminal recordings.”
Three
They also sell EMF protection devices. I imagine
this thing would have warned me before I tried to
dig out that piece of torn bread from the toaster
with a butter knife. That would have definitely
been worth the $119.
They have a bottle of pills called Brain Lightening.
I would assume you don’t want to give this to an
epileptic.
I’m not really sure what I’m going to buy. I’ll let
you know.
Signed Unemployed (and happy for no reason) in
Huntsville
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
7
THE DOCKS (SCOTTSBORO), Trey Browder
THE STATION, Live Music/DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, Jason Cunningham
VIEUX CARRE, Talent Night
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Barry Kay
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Thursday, August 30
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Josh Allison
AMENDMENT XXI, Anthony Sharp
AMERICAN LEGION POST 237, Karaoke
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Marge
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Dave Anderson
CARSON’S, Donnie Cox
DAILY BREW (DECATUR), Songwriter’s Open Mic
Night
DIAMONDS, Hutch Edwards Project
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Rob
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Slip Jig
FURNITURE FACTORY, Biker’s Ball Open Jam
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Lewis
GUADALAJARA (DECATUR), Karaoke
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Noel Webster
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Karaoke w/ David
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ DJ Tara
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Fatso
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, 5ive O’clock Charlie
KNIGHT MOVES, Karaoke w/ DJ
KNUCKLEHEADS, Jason Albert Band/ Bike Night
LONE GOOSE, Traci Traci Acoustical Communion
MAC’S SPORTSBAR AND STEAKHOUSE (ATHENS),
Tom and Dog
MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ (PROVIDENCE), Greg Staggs
OLIVIA’S BAR AND GRILL (SEE AD PG.31), Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ Amber
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, Ladies Night DJ Keibot
SPORTS PAGE, 5ive O’clock Charlie
SUDS BAR AND GRILL (MADISON),
Blues Night w/ Bro Rick-Delta
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Rough and Tumble
Friday, August 31
AMENDMENT XXI, The Blue Standard
AMERICAN LEGION POST 176, The Mersey Band
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Bourbon & Shamrocks
BARREL HOUSE, The Blue Standard
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, River Witch
CASA MONTEGO, Reggae & More with DJ Frankie J
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE, Karaoke with Carole
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG.7),
Rayvon Pettis
COPPERTOP, Alex Dakota
CROSSROADS, Reverend Horton Heat
DIAMONDS, Relayer
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
EL PASO (NEW HOPE), Karaoke w/ Brandon
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Sing Along with Nancy
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR),
Karaoke w/ Howie and HDK
FURNITURE FACTORY, Cousin Boogie
GEE’S PLACE, DJ
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), Eddie
Miller Band
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Full Circle
HIGHWAY HAVEN, Legend Band
HOPPER’S, DJ Lil’ Ed
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Seducing Alice
IMPROV, DJ Extraordinary
LEE ANN’S, Groove
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/ DJ Aubrey Walker
LONE GOOSE, Toy Shop
LOWE MILL, Ian Thomas and Band (SEE AD PG.17)
Chip
MOODY MONDAYS, Karaoke
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Diamond Dolls
SAMMY T’S MUSIC HALL, DJ Keibot
SCHNITZEL RANCH, Little German Band
STEVE’S BILLARDS, Karaoke
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Cheezee
VIEUX CARRE, Vieux Carre Playmates w/ DJ Kid Ka-os
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, The Mentones
Saturday, September 1
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE, Open Mic with
Barry and the Bandits
Open Mic Night
COPPERTOP, Envaine
CROSSROADS, OTEP w/ guests Butcher Baby and
One Eyed Doll
DIAMONDS, RFK Project
ELK’S LODGE, Karaoke
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Bourbon & Shamrocks
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER,
The Rough and Tumble
Square One Band
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (HUNTSVILLE),
Tequila Falls
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Section 8
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, The Good Doctor
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Fender Benders
LISA’S LOUNGE, Karaoke w/DJ Mike B
LONE GOOSE, Blue Handel Band
DJ EZ
SCHNITZEL RANCH, Little German Band
SPORTS PAGE, Kings Haze
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Unleashed
THE STATION, Crush/DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, Jim Cavendar
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Tedo Stone
(Atlanta)
Sunday, September 2
CASA MONTEGO, Retro Sundays
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Rolling Jazz Review
Karaoke
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR),
Gray, Black and White
IMPROV, Piano w/ Kim A. Jones
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Sunday Blues Jam
hosted by Freddy Earl and the Blues Mercenaries
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Partner’s Cabaret
VIEUX CARRE, Open Stage w/ Kinsey Malone
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL,
Karaoke w/ DJ Brandon Mac
Monday, September 3
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Robby Eichman
COPPERTOP, HDK Karaoke with Howie
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Acoustic Open Mic w/
James Irwin
SPORTS PAGE, Dave Anderson
THE BRICKHOUSE SPORTS CAFÉ, Karaoke/ DJ
Mississippi John Doude
Tuesday, September 4
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Josh Allison
FURNITURE FACTORY, Karaoke w/ Lou Walker
GLASS’S COCKTAILS & GRILL (DECATUR), Karaoke
w/ Lewis
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Open Mic w/
Ant and Andrew
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Charlie Howell
LEE ANN’S, Brian and Geoff
LISA’S LOUNGE, Bike Night w/ Thad Co.
Karaoke w/ Sweet T
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
SPORTS PAGE, Chelvis and the Bean
THE STATION, Karaoke
VIEUX CARRE, Karaoke
music cont. on pg. 10
8
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
THE VALLEY PLANET
Dr. Anarcho’s Rx For Old Stuff That Don’t Suck - Sly and The Family Stone: Greatest Hits.
I
n the sixties, Berry Gordy and his Motown gang pretty much ruled the R&B airwaves. Hitsville
USA turned out hit after hit. Everything they touched turned to gold. Seemed nothing could slow
them, much less stop them.
Strangeland
– ToY ShoP’s
Latest CD
Review by Brian Hudson
mong local musicians and fans, several
abroad, Toy Shop - founded by brothers
Andrew and Antony “Ant” Sharpe are
practically household names in the regional music
Then, from California’s Epic’s label entered Sly and The Family Stone, and Motown’s stranglehold scene. Born in England and spending much of
on the charts was shaken. S&TFS were an amped-up mix of blues, soul, rock, funk and psychedelica. their childhood in Canada and the U.S., their
Their music was positive and infectious and the band itself was a mix of race, and sexes, ten members profound artistic chemistry is as varied as their
in all. It seemed for a while all of who might just be able to get along. Every one of them had a part to worldly upbringing. Their first two offerings: a
play and played it well.
self-titled cd and the live “Get Up Now” - recorded
by Johnny Sandlin (highly renowned for his work
Sly’s outlandish costumes seemed just right for what they were doing.
with The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread
Panic, etc.) can be found at cdbaby.com or iTunes.
Music journalist Robert Christgau has called Greatest Hits “among the greatest rock and roll LPs of all Their shows are a rollercoaster of sounds; welltime.” In 2003, the album was ranked number 60 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 greatest played and-written original songs and covers as
albums of all time.
varied as: Ben Folks, Tom Waits, Neil Young,
Radiohead, The Beatles, and lesser known artists
Sly Stone’s appearance on the scene prompted Berry Gordy to move his Detroit studio to California. such as Steve Harley & The Drakes.
He had taken notice of the changing landscape and wanted to be closer to where it was all happening
- L.A.
This record takes off with bass, muted guitar &
drum feel in “Don’t Mean A Thing” - a slyly sparse
While it is said Gordy moved to LA to better promote the Jackson 5, the very fact that the Temptations’ beginning. A heavy chorus takes the understated
hastily recorded and released Psychedelic Shack - was clearly a departure from their award-winning auspices to unadulterated rock and roll. The
sound and a move closer to the sound of Sly and the Family Stone.
bridge goes from an almost early- Sabbath groan
to a 2 beat feel on the high hat, crescendos on a
Tracks on the original vinyl Greatest Hits
dark “this little piggy” analogy The coda grows
into a strong outro courtesy of James.
Side 1
1.
“I Want to Take You Higher” – 5:22
“1! 2! 3!” has an instantly melodic beginning with
2.
“Everybody is a Star” – 3:00
clean electric guitar and keys. Textures abound,
3.
“Stand!” – 3:08
as the sparsity shifts to more keys and doubled
4.
“Life” – 2:58
vocals. “Go to war, what’s it for...” pairs lyrical
5.
“Fun” – 2:20
with musical tension. The cyclical nature of the
6.
“You Can Make It If You Try” – 3:39
song never stales. This is how a three chord song
Side 2
can be so epic, as I hear symphonic beauty from
1.
“Dance To The Music” – 2:58
a three-piece.
2.
“Everyday People” – 2:20
3.
“Hot Fun in the Summertime” – 2:37
“The Wild Wood”, rolls in as a pastiche of piano
4.
“M’Lady” – 2:44
and guitar interplay with great melody over a
5.
“Sing a Simple Song” – 3:55
bedrock of harmonized vocals and James’s nice
6.
“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” – 4:47
rolls and hits on beat four. “Let innocence decide
your fate against” vs. experience “You’ve seen it
all” implies a great muse for the pen. The following
verse has two vocals singing intertwining lyrics.
This piece offers the vagueness of inspiration, but
without being overtly topical. Ant’s slide breaks
are a perfect fit, doubled
by whistling, plus a vocal
recorded an octave below
the line. We are left with
gilded themes that never
corrode.
Thematically,
emotionally we are well
into “Strangeland”.
McQuinn, is a sharply written collection of comic
– Dan McQuinn: Kids Say The Cutest Things
letters, monologues and playlets that provides Ant’s vocal on “Facts and
When They Are Drunk. (A Book of Pointless
sure-fire laughs drunk or sober. The 50+ comic Philosophy” constructs a
Satire and Vulgar Humor – Most of it funny.)
essays draw their humor from every phase of life tome on misinformation,
as imagined by McQuinn from the moment his alarmist media, base
kay, a show of hands; how many of you parents meet for the first time to his bizarre final ignorance and such. A
many Valley Planet readers could resist a wishes.” Hey Ricky – who is this a quote from?
great groove with a
book with a title like that? The gods’ truth
descending guitar line
is that even if you don’t have the plastic or cash to Fans of David Sedaris are almost certain to like glues the overall chorus
buy it you’d consider shoplifting the thing.
McQuinn’s offerings. Some people just have motif. The inventive solo
the knack for taking the mundane and making it unveils great ensemble playing. Shimmering
Warning – or maybe you’d call it a plus – if you funny.
feedback and low fuzzy notes begin a textured
have a politically correct streak in your being,
bridge. The song is a clever joke on itself.
do not read this. I guess the politically incorrect One funny (I assume sober) friend of McQuinn
way to say this is screw you if you can’t take or summed it up with (sic) “He wouldn’t even buy a An echoing riff starts “Never Could Have Won”.
appreciate a joke.
Cub Scout candy bar from me and now he wants Andrew’s vocals and Jamie’s kit steady the band
through chorus riffs and changes set to a refrain of
me to buy his damned book?”
And for the apoplectics with the vapors, the book
the title. A heavier feel involving Ant’s artificial
isn’t about children using alcohol, it’s just a catchy McQuinn offers some advice on naming your harmonics and power chords transmogrify into a
title.
children; “Stick with the basics, like Joe, Bill, second, more forceful on-top-of-the-beat verse.
and Mary. Avoid trendy soap opera names like The cryptic lyrics weave through the album’s
With an acerbic wit the truly cynical can really Brandon or Tiffany as people will assume they heaviest track.
appreciate McQuinn as he addresses many of life’s are spoiled rich pricks. However if you are one of
important topics: Biology, Christmas, Enterprise, the lucky few who s*** cash the kid will end up The title track is a tour de force with a mean, “toGreat Moments In The American Revolution, being a spoiled rich prick anyway.”
the-jugular” riff. Ant’s churning rhythm fuels his
Celebrities, God, Death, Dialogue, and more.
brother’s portrait of “Strangeland”. Two-beat,
The book is available via Kindle and computer full-band hits cue a steady halftime cautioning
According to the dust jacket editorial review, download.
“Don’t give in to Strangeland’s vacant stare.”
“Kids Say the Cutest Things When They’re
Drunk, the first book from humor writer, Dan Review by Rick Thomason
A
“SPINNING INFINITY” - has an overall feel of
what musicians call “pocket”. The clean gtr, slide
gtr, bass and drum package just flat out groove.
Lyrically, it’s as if an old ghost is not done with
the writer. Ant’s improvisation conveys the
feelings that language cannot always relate. As
if a concession, Andrew’s last lyric “We’re all
together now”, shifts the feel of Strangeland.
ReLit: Smokin’
Good Reads
Worth A ReKindle
“STILL ALIVE”
- I love James’s
drumming on this
song in particular.
The ferocity of the
brothers’ catchy, yet
nasty-Zeppelin romp
falls gracefully into
the chaos, until a
calmer bridge takes
it all back down.
The intro riff returns
like a mean-ass bill
collector to bookend
the song.
O
THE VALLEY PLANET
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
AMBER’S SONG
- is perhaps the most hopeful song of the record
- another great example of Andrew’s remarkable
songwriting. I love the layers of vocals that
amass as the song progresses “We are all one
under the sun, don forget life was just begun; for
love or for fun.”
SAIL AWAY - This is the first song from the record
I ever heard live; I knew it was their composition
immediately, but was taken aback in my first few
listens, as it was beckoning of new approaches
and compositions to come.
“Strangeland” can be purchased at The Fret Shop,
Toy Shop gigs, and soon on iTunes.
For all the many years I’ve witnessed their artistry;
their work continues to be relevant, imaginative,
and adventurous. I highly recommend their
recordings to anyone.
9
music cont. from pg.8
Coming Soon
to a Brewery near You!
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), Matt Prater
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Dave Anderson
WATERCRESS, Live Jazz
Wednesday, September 5
108 JEFFERSON STREET PUB, Dueling Pianos
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Microwave Dave
BRIX, Schmooze
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE, DJ Mike
Songwriter’s Jam
FINNEGAN’S PUB, O’Flannery Brothers
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER (SWING DANCE
SOCIETY), Dan Deacon
w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Chris Roche
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Dave Anderson, Juice
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Andrew Sharp
KNIGHT MOVES, Bike Night w/ Live Music
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Talent Knight w/ Kinsey
Malone
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Dusty and Gilby
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), The Grant
and Charles Show
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, James Irvin
Come join us for Food, Fun, Friends,
Music and Beer!
at 3200 Leeman Ferry Rd.
Beer provided by Straight to Ale. $5 a pint.
Adults Only
$20 at the door, $15 in advance
The party starts at 6:00 on Oct. 6th.
Music by Microwave Dave!
Lots of great Silent Auction items
including original artwork & jewelry
by some of the area’s leading artists!
Auction closes at 9:00.
You don’t have to be present to win.
All proceeds go to help the animals.
No More Homeless Pets is our Goal !
www.SNAPonTap.com
Sponsored by
10
#083012091912
Thursday, September 6
AMENDMENT XXI, O’Dell Johnson Duo
BARREL HOUSE, O’Dell Johnson Duo
DAILY BREW (DECATUR),
Songwriter’s Open Mic Night
DIAMONDS, JD and the Bad Boys
FURNITURE FACTORY, Bikers Ball Open Jam
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Brian and Geoff
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Love Child
KAFFEEKLATSCH @ NIGHT, Dave Anderson
KNUCKLEHEADS, Crush/ Bike Night
LEE ANN’S, Hot Rod Otis
Jacob Styfle
SUDS BAR AND GRILL (MADISON),
Blues Night w/ Bro Rick-Delta
VERTICAL HOUSE (LOWE MILL), Nobunny, Bad
Sports, and the Porcharitas
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Charles (Dave)
Burlingreen Benefit w/ Lance Almon Smith
Friday, September 7
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Tangled String
CARSON’S, Alex & Kipp from .45 Surprise
Fred Roberts
DIAMONDS, Hutch Edwards Project
EARTH FARE, Open Mic
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
GEE’S PLACE, DJ
Eddie Miller Band
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Hot Rod Otis
HOPPER’S, Big 40
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, The Groove
KNUCKLEHEADS, Jason Albert Band
LEE ANN’S, Full Circle
LONE GOOSE, The Mentones
LOWE MILL, Walker St. Opry (SEE AD PG.17)
SPORTS PAGE, L.I.E.
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Chocolate Cracker
Dawn Osborne Band
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
BANDIRO BURRITO (MADISON), AKA
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE, Open Mic with
Barry and the Bandits
Open Mic Night
COPPERTOP, Wolf Among Sheep
CROSSROADS, The Whigs
DIAMONDS, The Unit
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR), Square
One Band
Tequila Falls
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Chezee
HOPPER’S, Big 40
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Blue Handel Band
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Gryphon Rocks
LONE GOOSE, Bourbon and Shamrocks
DJ EZ
SPORTS PAGE, Pla’Station
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Trinity Mountain Boys
THE STEM AND STEIN, Del McGee
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Toy Shop
Sunday, September 9
Karaoke
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Karaoke w/ DJ
Brandon Mac
Monday, September 10
James Irwin
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Open Mic w/ Marge
Karaoke w/ Sweet T
VIEUX CARRE, Karaoke
Songwriter’s Jam
COPPERTOP, Love-it
Karaoke w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Noel Webster
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL,
Dave Anderson/Kozmic Mama
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, The Breakers
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Talent Knight w/
Kinsey Malone
SPORTS PAGE, Greg Staggs
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS),
The Grant and Charles Show
BARREL HOUSE, Andrew Sharpe
THE VALLEY PLANET
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
#083012091912
READ THE PLANET, IT’S FREE
(256) 533 • 4613
August 30, 2012, Valley Planet Arts Issue Insert
Arts Season 2012 - 2013
Support The Arts!!
THE VALLEY PLANET
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
11
Think. Explore. Create.
{Study Art at UAH}
Develop your inner potential as
well as explore the world around
you, from intense instruction by
some of the best art professors
around; to meeting and working
with art-minded peers; to taking
advantage of lectures, events,
and extra-curricular art activities.
The Department of Art & Art
History at UAH offers an amazing
assortment of classes in graphic
design, photography, painting,
drawing, printmaking, sculpture,
and art history. Whether you are
younger or older, experienced
or emerging, focused, or not
sure what you want to do, check
it out. You might find yourself
and your career path at the
same time. Visit us online at
the UAHuntsville website (see
below), or e-mail [email protected].
d e p a r t m e n t
Department of Music
Calendar of Events
Now thru 9/21, Wilson Hall
Gallery: “Keith Jones:
Sabbatical Projects”
(faculty show)
INTRODUCES NEW MUSIC PROGRAMS IN:
9/4 thru 9/14, Union Grove
Gallery: Senior Exit Show
by Lindsey Bonen
(student show)
Music Business~Piano Pedagogy~Church Music
9/10 thru 9/26, Salmon Library
Gallery: “Lucas Baker: Drawings”
(student show)
Eight music concentrations, dozens of
ensembles, forty faculty, hundreds of
students, and infinite opportunities
await you at UAHuntsville.
9/24, 7:30 pm, Wilson Hall
Theater: “Digitizing the Roman
Imperial Forum” with
Dr. James Packer
(free archaeology lecture)
10/1 thru 10/26, Salmon Library
Gallery: “The Art of Green Pea
Press”
(alumna Rachel Lackey and friends)
o f
art+art history
Contact us today to get started! 256-824-6436
UAHuntsville
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
www.uah.edu/music
P | 256.824.6114 | ww w.uah.edu/colleges/liberal/art
UAH Art Events Open to Public UAH Department of Music
– Be Heard
A
rt majors at UAHuntsville can pursue a variety of goals, including the new Bachelor of Fine
Arts degrees in drawing and painting, graphic design, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
And the general public can participate in some educational and pleasurable activities, too, and
usually for free.
The most popular public programming that the Department of Art and Art History organizes is a series
of six to ten fascinating archaeology lectures co-sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America.
Taking place in Wilson Hall Theater or Chan Auditorium, and featuring well-known archaeologists,
past talks have been about the FBI Art Crime Team, ancient Egyptian pharaohs, underwater discoveries
of Mayan artifacts, and the battlefield of Little Bighorn. The first lecture for the 2012-2013 academic
year is set for Monday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 pm, with Dr. James Packer of Northwestern University on
“Digitizing the Roman Imperial Forum.” On Nov. 5 there will be a lecture on “Gendered Spaces in
British Monasteries” with Courtney Ward of the University of Oxford, UK. For more details, go to:
http://excavate-aia.blogspot.com.
Because of the new BFA degree, a number of exciting
courses have been added to the UAH Art and Art History
curriculum. Students can now take documentary
photography, monoprint, web animation, and an
intensive course in figure drawing. The UAHuntsville
Student Art Club puts on a variety of events, including
informal life-drawing sessions that are also open to
the public. All that is required is a small donation and
you can draw for two hours. The schedule of Open
Drawing sessions for Fall 2012 will be available soon.
Just e-mail: [email protected].
The department also likes to show off its beautiful
exhibition spaces, Wilson Hall Gallery, the Salmon
Library Gallery and the venerable Union Grove Gallery
(the “white church building” behind Morton Hall). This
fall, new work by our graphic design professor, Keith
Jones, will grace the Wilson Hall Gallery from Sept.
4 through 21, with large, mixed-media pieces created
while Jones was on sabbatical this past spring. From
Sept. 4 through 14 a student exit show by graduating art
major Lindsey Bonen will be on view; and drawings by
student Lucas Baker will be displayed in the Salmon
Library Gallery from Sept. 10 through 26. For gallery
visiting hours, call 256-824-6114.
he Department of Music at UAHuntsville prepares student musicians for careers as performers,
educators, composers, church musicians, and music industry professionals. Noted for quality
instruction by nationally and internationally renowned faculty, and an accredited institutional
member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the Department offers eight music degrees,
numerous ensembles, and over 150 performances each year. So whether you are a current or prospective
student, a curious amateur musician, or a community appreciator of music, let your voice BE HEARD
at UAHuntsville.
T
The 2012-2013 season at UAHuntsville’s Department of Music offers numerous faculty recitals and
ensemble performances of quality repertoire from classical to jazz. Highlights include: a September
28 performance of the Huntsville Chamber Winds and the Huntsville Community Chorus featuring the
music of Mahler and Maslanka; October 19th’s Opening Concert features an array of performers and
ensembles including soloists, bands, choirs, jazz, and steel drums; on November 1-3, the UAH Opera
Workshop presents “Sinners and Saints of Opera,” featuring famous opera scenes from the baddest to
the best opera characters of all time; on November 10, the UAH Jazz Ensemble features Ken Watters
and friends; on November 15-17, the 5th Annual UAH Honor Band features nearly 200 band students
from across the region; on November 30, the UAH Concert Choir presents the premiere performance
of Keith Taylor’s “Jazz Mass;” on December 2, An Afternoon of Chamber Music features the chamber
choir, percussion ensemble, guitar ensemble, flute choir, as well as the woodwind and brass quintets.
Additionally, numerous recitals
pepper the calendar with virtuosic
faculty performances from Sarkis
Baltaian, Rosa Richardson, Betty
Stone, Hunter Thomas, Ron Wray,
and Karen Young.
Additional information about these
and other music events at UAH are
available on the web at www.uah.
edu/music.
“Loimos Ephesios,” 2012, watercolor with
digital/altered found images.-- Keith Jones
12
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
THE VALLEY PLANET
The Living Christmas Tree
2012
irst Baptist Church will present the 28th annual presentation of the Living Christmas Tree
Thursday, December 13 through Sunday, December 16, 2012. Evening performances will be
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p m. Matinees will be Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday
at 5:30 p m. An abbreviated performance especially for young children will be presented Sunday at
3:00 p.m. Tickets are free and are available at the church, which is located at 600 Governors Drive.
Ticket reservations are also available by phone at (256) 428-9422 or by visiting the church web site,
www fbchsv.org/lct.
F
Long hailed as a Huntsville Christmas tradition, the Living Christmas Tree (LCT) features a choir of
175 singers and a 60 piece orchestra. Directed by the Rev. Billy Orton, minister of music and worship,
this year’s Living Christmas Tree will feature festive arrangements of familiar carols, beautiful settings
of new and traditional Christmas music, and, of course, the candlelight processional with singers
throughout the spacious FBC sanctuary. Special musical guest this year is the Irish band, SlipJig.
Huntsville
Ballet
Announces
a Bold New
Season for
2012 - 2013
untsville Ballet Company is excited to
announce the performances for the 2012In recognition of the recent Silver Anniversary presentations of the LCT, Mayor Tommy Battle wrote,
2013 Season. Cutting edge choreography,
“I am excited that Huntsville is home to this annual event. I know The Living Christmas Tree will be classical ballets and some wonderful surprises are
a joyous event filled with wonderful fellowship, beautiful music and inspire strengthened motivation sure to delight audiences of all ages as Huntsville
and dedication to your vital roles in your families, congregations and communities.”
Ballet Company dancers and special guest artists
take the stage with passion, poise, and power.
The Living Christmas Tree is a truly impressive structure. Standing 39 feet tall, the tree weighs 6,000
pounds, is dressed with more than 7,500 pieces of greenery and features 13,500 sparkling lights. Huntsville Ballet Company’s Unplugged returns
The tree, with its skeleton resembling an erector set, is constructed in three days by a host of First to the Von Braun Center Playhouse October 26,
Baptist members who volunteer their time and efforts in this Yuletide labor of love. “It is a church- 27, and 28, to open the season. Exciting new
wide endeavor that includes not just our music ministry, but volunteers of all ages and backgrounds,” choreography as well as a taste of the classics will
explained Rev. Orton. “The magnitude of the project calls for men, women, girls, boys, carpenters, be presented in the up-close and personal setting
engineers, decorators, cooks and more. Volunteers cover ticket orders, the parking of cars, ushering, of the Playhouse stage.
public relations…the scope is tremendous.”
The Huntsville Ballet Company continues the
Not only is the Living Christmas Tree a wondrous site to see, but the spectacular musical sound of 200 2012/2013 season with their 44th annual production
singers and instrumentalists is alive with Christmas spirit. As noted in The Huntsville Times, “The of The Nutcracker, December 7, 8, 9, 2012. This
enduring program has become one of the area’s most popular holiday entertainment traditions – even magical holiday classic has been a Huntsville
for those who don’t attend the church.”
tradition for over four decades. Don’t miss the
magic this holiday season as Huntsville Ballet
Company, with choreography by Artistic Director
Phillip Otto and accompanied by Huntsville
Symphony Orchestra, brings this enchanting
story to life at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall.
All children performing are registered students
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
of The Huntsville Ballet School. Brand new this
year, is a single performance of Nutcracker Gone
Wild. WARNING: Nutcracker Gone Wild is a
special unconventional performance sponsored
by Huntsville Ballet Company’s “MEN OF
THE BARRE” and could be bad for your artistic
health!
In January, 2013 Huntsville Ballet is honored
to present MOMIX: Botanica. Beautiful and
enthralling, Botanica is the perfect show for the
entire family. This show features an eclectic score
ranging from birdsongs to Vivaldi. It follows the
rhythms of the seasons, the changing shape of life
on Earth, and the passing of a day. The performance
is enhanced by spectacular costumes, projections
and giant puppetry designed by Michael Curry,
acclaimed production designer for Cirque du
Soleil, Disney and the Metropolitan Opera.
The season concludes with the Spring Performance.
This year Huntsville Ballet Company tells the
story of the infamous Billy the Kid. He had a
slim physique, sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, and
wore a signature sugar-loaf sombrero with a wide
decorative band. He could be charming and polite
one moment, then outraged and violent the next,
a quixotic nature he used to great effect during
his heists and robberies. Legend has it he killed
21 men during his days as an outlaw, one for each
year of his life. The music by Aaron Copeland
will transport audiences out of their seats and into
the old west as the dancers tell this story through
powerful and expressive movement. The Spring
performance includes the 5th Annual Discover
Dance Community Showcase, which will begin
prior to Billy The Kid.
Season Tickets are available now by visiting the
website and downloading the Season Ticket order
form, or by calling the office at 256-539-0961.
Single tickets will be available at Ticketmaster.
com in October, and group discounts are available.
Please call 256-539-0961 for more information.
13
FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN’S THEATER AND ACADEMY
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Fantasy
Playhouse
antasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and
Academy is a non-profit organization that
fosters the education, interest, and talent
of area children in theater through live theatrical productions and year-round performing arts
classes. Fantasy yearly produces four productions
in the VBC Playhouse. It also provides a series of
small performances by The Fantasy Players, our
ambassador touring group, at various venues.
F
2012-2013 Season
Fantasy “continues the magic” this season with
The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, Dragon of Nitt, Stuart Little, and our season extra, A
Christmas Carol. Find synopses of each play at
www.letthemagicbegin.org.
Auditions and Backstage Volunteers
All Fantasy plays are cast in open auditions using age appropriate actors. Audition information
is listed on our website. To volunteer for other aspects of a production, report to the audition date
and fill out a volunteer form.
the Concert Hall of the VBC, Invitation requests
may be made by calling the Fantasy office.
Saturday Afternoon Specials begin September
22 at the Fantasy Arts Center. Storytelling, skits,
crafts, etc. to delight the young ones. Other dates
are December 22, January 12 and March 2. Watch
for details on the Fantasy website.
Doctor Osborn’s Magical New Fangled Medicine
Show creates more “magic” on October 26-28 at
the Fantasy Arts Center. Magician Darrell Osborn
demonstrates comedy, magic, and silliness for the
entire family. Tickets are $5.
Mother-Daughter Princess Tea Parties are planned
for March 30-31. Join our costumed princesses for
crafts, a story and Full Tea! Recommended for 4
years and up. Tickets are $12.
Tickets to all these events may be purchased through
the Fantasy Office. Call or visit the Fantasy Playhouse Arts Center, 3312 Long Ave., Huntsville, M-F
9-5 (256-539-6829) www.letthemagicbegin.org.
Ticket information
Season tickets are $36 and are available now. Individual tickets to season shows are $14 and will
be available through our website after September
1st. A Christmas Carol tickets are $20 for adults
and $14 for students 17 and under.
52nd Season “Save the Date” Events
Fantasy Playhouse Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, September 1, at Applebee’s
Huntsville/South Memorial Parkway 7 a m. 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $6.
The 2012 Gala Fundraiser for Fantasy Playhouse
Children’s Theater and Academy will be held
Friday evening, September 14, 2012. Please join
us for a magical evening of dinner, drinks, dancing and a fantastical silent auction “on stage” at
Fantasy Playhouse - Rapunzel 2012
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THE VALLEY PLANET
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15
MXVWLQ
ZLOOPDQ
JOHN HEFFRON
VHSWHPEHU OCTOBER 25 & 26, 2012
DW SP _ PDLQ IORRU _ JUDGXDWHG VHDWLQJ
Justin Willman is one of the busiest TV-personalities and live entertainers in America, presently
hosting the hit shows “Cupcake Wars” and “Last Cake Standing” on the Food Network ! He’s
also well known as the witty correspondent on the Rachael Ray talk show with more than 20
appearances. Justin’s Tricked Out Tour takes him around the globe with a hugely popular oneman comedy and magic live show.
AT 7:30 P.M. | $30 MAIN FLOOR | $25 GRADUATED SEATING
The endless list of credits that comprise his impressive resume highlight his many significant
accomplishments. Having won the second season of NBC’ s “Last Comic Standing,” Heffron’s
popularity grew tremendously. John’ s amusing and extensive material has earned him two halfhour specials and a one-hour special on the hit stand up show “Comedy Central Presents.”
Justin Willman presented in partnership with
John Heffron presented in partnership with
Box Office: (256) 534-6455
www.merrimackhall.com
Merrimack Hall Celebrates Fifth
Anniversary Season
ecognizing Huntsville’s growing demand for cultural and entertainment activities, Debra and
Alan Jenkins decided to pair their financial resources with their passion for the performing
arts to develop a new venue for music, theatre and dance. They established Merrimack Hall
Performing Arts Center as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and provided its renovation as a gift to
the community.
R
A delegation of AAUW Huntsville Branch members lobbying
North Alabama legislators pose
on Capitol Hill with Lilly Ledbetter, fourth from left, Alabama
native and AAUW member, for
whom the Lilly Ledbetter Pay
Equity Act is named.
This year, Merrimack Hall is celebrating its Fifth Anniversary Season! The season kicks off with an
appearance by Justin Willman, comedian and magician extraordinaire, best known as the host of The
Food Network’s hit show “Cupcake Wars.” Also in September is a performance by the legendary Blind
Boys of Alabama, recognized nationally and internationally as living legends of gospel music.
In October, Ruthie Foster makes her third appearance at Merrimack Hall on the heels of two previous
sold-out shows. Sculptor Kevin Reese will spend one week at the venue working on pieces of public
art with Merrimack Hall’s Johnny Stallings Arts Program students with special needs. These sculptures
will be placed in local businesses at the end of the weeklong residency. Rounding out October is
comedian John Heffron, winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”
In November, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will bring their Grammy-winning zydeco
ensemble to Huntsville. Rolling Stone magazine hails Simien as “a zydeco master.” AJ Croce, songwriter
and son of the late Jim Croce, will appear in a solo performance. Merrimack Hall will offer three
holiday performances: My North Pole Adventure, starring the students of the Johnny Stallings Arts
Program; the Four Bitchin’ Babes presenting Jingle Babes, their new holiday revue; and the talented
Mandy Barnett presenting Winter Wonderland.
Winter and spring highlights include two appearances by Victoria
Shaw, Nashville-based songwriter responsible for more than 65
million album sales and the producer of Lady Antebellum’s debut
album. Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, direct
from Savannah, Georgia, will present a special Valentine’s Day
performance. Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, sons of Ricky Nelson and
country music stars in their own right, will appear in Ricky Nelson
Remembered, a multimedia tribute to their late father. The Marvelous
Wonderettes, an off-Broadway smash straight from New York City,
will entertain audiences with songs from the 1950s and 60s. Lastly,
the ever-popular Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre, which performed
to three sold-out audiences at Merrimack Hall in 2011, will return to
dazzle adults and children alike.
Dance Theatre of Huntsville’s
Rockin’ Gospel.
Independent Musical Theatre’s
Oliver.
Visit Merrimack Hall’s website for the full season performances
schedule at www.merrimackhall.com.
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Classes began August 20
REGISTER NOW
Limited Space Available
Open Nutcracker Auditions 9/8
Alabama Youth Ballet Educates and
Entertains
labama Youth Ballet Theatre, a non-profit performing arts company, will open its seventh
season to holiday audiences with The Nutcracker, A Yuletide Ballet Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.
Huntsville’s most experienced teachers and directors, Keren Gibb-Hilliard and David Herriott,
will once again create the performance that has been a holiday tradition for families in the Valley. Mrs.
Gibb-Hilliard and Mr. Herriott continue the legacy of their mentor, Loyd Tygett which began in 1969.
We invite you to be part of this production. Open auditions will be held September 8th, from 2-4pm
for ages 8 and above.
A
April 5-7, AYBT will present Sleeping Beauty, a Fairytale Ballet, at the VBC Playhouse. This familyoriented entertainment will be a condensed version of the entire story, with all the enchantment of
the Lilac Fairy, and the wonderful wedding of Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora to her Prince. The
beautiful dancing includes many Fairies, Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots and the White Cat, and more.
Of course everyone “lives happily ever after”. Please visit www.aybtheatre.org for more information.
Donations to AYBT also support The Dance Connection, a summer intensive workshop, which reaches
out to children ages 8-12 who would not otherwise have an opportunity to study dance. The program
is directed by Mary Halverstadt and is funded in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council
on the Arts and a partnership with MLK Elementary School, Lincoln Academy and Lincoln Village
Ministries. Mrs. Halverstadt also created Footprints, AYBT’s children’s creative dance company for
ages 8-12, which is now directed by Meg Hall. AYBT’s Liturgical Dance Company is directed by
Alicia Wright.
Alabama Youth Ballet School, the official school of AYBT, directed by Keren Gibb-Hilliard, offers
dance instruction from age three to adult. AYB is a nurturing family centered environment, with an
emphasis on Russian classical ballet.
The school also offers classes in Pointe,
Partnering, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Adult
Fitness, Flexibility, and has separate
classes for boys, teens wishing to begin
dance, and adults.
Throughout the year, students perform
in educational lecture-demonstrations,
Panoply Arts Festival, Alabama Dance
Festival, AYB Showcase and other
community events. Registration is
continuing for fall classes, which began
on Aug. 20.
Call 256.881.5930 or
visit www.alabamayouthballet.org for
information or to register.
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17
art print web
Affordable design services including
custom art and illustration, web design and
programming, social media customization, and
traditional printed marketing materials.
PLUS unique and colorful contemporary art and jewelry.
ChromAddict
s t u d i o
www.chromaddict.com
Studio 8, Huntsville Art League
256.776.1066 o 256.683.5554 c
Art On The Square Brings Outstanding Fine Arts
Festival to Downtown Athens, AL on September 8
by Diane Lehr
rt On The Square Arts League invites all to The Square in downtown Athens, Alabama on
Sept. 8th, 2012, from 10 am to 4 pm. The all-volunteer arts league puts their tag line, Art.
Experience it. Own it. into this major fine arts event, as art comes to life each September in
beautiful downtown Athens, on The Limestone County Courthouse grounds.
A
Artists from near and far apply and are selected by a panel of outside jury judges in order to be part
of this show. There are coveted prize awards and evolving artists’ recognition associated with the
Art On The Square Fine Arts Festival. This year expect over 50 visual artists and world-class blues
performed by The Alabama Blues Project Advanced Band, at 10:30am, and Microwave Dave & The
Nukes at noon on Saturday.
See dancers, performing artists, and take the opportunity to explore your inner writer at Kudzu
Chronicles, A Southern Writer’s Event At Art On The Square. Renowned authors will preside over the
event at The ASU Center for Lifelong Learning in downtown Athens. The event is free but registration
is recommended.
The whole family will appreciate the all-art Douthit KidsZone sponsored by T.R.A.I.L. and there will
be plenty of food from vendors or one may try any of the great local restaurants downtown.
Last year’s Best of Show Winner was Debra Eubanks Riffe who lives just two hours south of Athens
in Birmingham. Without this juried show, chances are she might never have come to display her
magnificent work in Athens. She is a linoleum block printmaker and all her linocuts are based on her
portfolio of original sketches. Each block is cut, inked and printed by hand. She was a featured artist in
Southern Living Magazine in 2009. Riffe’s next series of prints will celebrate the 50th year anniversary
of civil rights: 1963-2013. It is a traveling exhibition of original linoleum block prints, portraits of
thirty civil rights leaders, activists and foot soldiers who transformed the American political system in
the South. It will debut in Birmingham, Alabama, in January 2013.
Numerous fine artists apply to the Show and the picturesque downtown is just another reason that
you should attend. To kick off the Saturday festival, Art On the Square has partnered with Athens
State University to bring The Alabama Blues Project
Advanced Band to the Carter Gymnasium at 9:30 am on
Friday, September 7, for hundreds of students to enjoy. The
Advanced Band is comprised of the program’s most elite
gifted student musicians.
All of these Saturday events are free to attend. A heavy rain
location has been secured at the Athens State University
Carter Gymnasium, so the show will go on, rain or shine.
Pictured is Ain’t No Place Like Home by Debra Riffe. See her work
at Art On the Square in Athens on September 8.
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THE VALLEY PLANET
BUY TICKETS TODAY
www.YourSeatIsWaiting.org
GREATER
TUNA
by Williams , Sears & Howard
NOVEMBER 2012
Adapted by James W. Rodgers
MYVT [OL ÄST I` -YHUR *HWYH
256.536.0807
TICKETS
ONLY $
18
Students
Seniors 65+
Active military
$15
Group rates available.
SEPT 14-15 & 20-22 @ 7:30 pm
SEPT 16 & 22 @ 2 pm
Von Braun Center Playhouse
Located in downtown Huntsville
at the corner of Clinton and Monroe
Recommended for Teens & Adults
Produced by special arrangement with
Samuel French, Inc.
JANUARY 2013
MARCH 2013
MAY 2013
JULY 2013
by Craig Lucas
by Thornton Wilder
by Alan Ball
Music / Lyrics by >PSSPHT -PUU
)VVR I` 9HJOLS :OLPURPU
Theatre Huntsville
heatre Huntsville is excited to bring another season of live theatre to Huntsville, featuring the
talents of local artists. The 2012-13 season opens in September with Greater Tuna. Set in the
fictional Tuna, Texas – the third smallest town in the Lone Star State, this hilarious send-up of
small town morals and mores is a tour-de-farce of quick change artistry. Two actors, 20 characters and
a barrel of laughs, y’all.
T
The entire family can enjoy two classics beginning with the holiday favorite It’s a Wonderful Life,
based on the film by Frank Capra. George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls,
meets his guardian angel who shows him what the world would have been like had he never been born.
And in March 2013, audiences can visit the small town of Grover’s Corners, NH in Thornton Wilder’s
Pulitzer Prize winning drama Our Town. While the characters and events are commonplace, the play
addresses universal themes of mortality and the value of everyday life.
The New Year brings us not one, but two weddings! In January 2013 is the wedding of Peter and Rita in
Craig Lucas’ Prelude to a Kiss. When an old man insists on kissing the bride, he somehow swaps their
souls. Peter must track him and free his young love’s spirit before it’s too late. Alan Ball, the creator
of Six Feet Under and True Blood, transports us to an ostentatious wedding reception at a Knoxville
estate in May’s comedy 5 Women Wearing the Same Dress. Five identically-clad, but very different
bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom and joyously discover a common bond in this wickedly
funny, irreverent, and touching celebration of a woman’s spirit.
Closing out the season in July is the Tony Award winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County
Spelling Bee. A quirky yet charming cast of outsiders discover that a spelling bee is the one place where
they can stand out and fit in at the same time, and learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing
doesn’t necessarily make you a loser.
Individual ticket prices are: Adult $18; Student/Senior (65+)/Active Military $15. Tickets for The
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are Adult $20; Student/Senior (65+)/Active Military $18.
Performances are in the Von Braun Center Playhouse, conveniently located in downtown Huntsville.
All tickets are reserved seating. No refunds on sales of any tickets.
Season tickets, flex packages and group rates are available. Season Subscribers receive, in addition
to great entertainment all year round, priority seating, lost ticket replacement and ticket exchange
privileges.
Theatre Huntsville is a non profit, volunteer
organization. Volunteers come from all
walks of life, donating their time and talent
to entertain our community and sustain one
of the premiere arts organizations in the
Tennessee Valley.
For more information about volunteering
or to purchase tickets, call 256-536-0807 or
visit www.YourSeatIsWaiting.org
Jeannette King Chaney as “Dotty” in
Theatre Huntsville’s “Noises Off”
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HSO Back By Popular Demand:
Cirque de la Symphonie – Two Performances – September 22 (7:30 p.m.) and September 23 (2:30
p.m.)
M
asterpieces of music come visually alive as aerialists fly overhead and acrobatic feats are
performed on the shared stage when the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents Cirque de
la Symphonie in the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall on Saturday, September 22, 2012, at 7:30
p.m. and a special family concert, Sunday, September 23, 2012, at 2:30 p m.
This first concert in the 2012-2013 Pops Series, sponsored exclusively by SAIC, will feature the Huntsville
Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Joseph Lee, performing powerful classics including
selections from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake as well as music by Khachaturian,
Kabalevsky and, Sibelius and many others. As you hear the emotional nuances of the music, watch the
impressive feats of the most amazing veterans of
exceptional cirque programs throughout the worldaerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers,
jugglers, and strongmen. Performing beside (and
ABOVE!) the orchestra, the aerial artistry, mindboggling strength and agility, and graceful dance
have left audiences stunned and amazed at music
halls everywhere. These artists are among the best
in the business, and they include world record
holders, gold-medal winners of international
competitions, and some of the most original talent
seen anywhere.
Huntsville Symphony Orchestra invites you to
experience the magic of some of the best cirque
artists in the world performing visually stunning
choreography on the same stage as our symphony
orchestra in Cirque de la Symphonie. Mark your
calendar for Saturday, September 22, 2012, 7:30
p.m. or September 23, 2012, at 2:30 p m. at the
Mark C. Smith Concert Hall in the Von Braun
Center. Tickets are selling quickly for this thrilling
and innovative program, suitable for the entire
family. To purchase tickets, call (256) 539-4818 or
go online to www hso.org today!
Our wonderful new season
begins on Saturday, September 22 at 7:30pm
and Sunday, September 23 at 2:30pm
with performances by
Cirque de la Symphonie.
Individual and season tickets now on sale.
256-539-4818 or www.hso.org
Follow us:
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THE VALLEY PLANET
Broadway Theatre League’s
2012 - 2013 Season
B
roadway Theatre League has some exciting news to share this season! In addition to the great
line-up of shows, we now have season tickets starting at only $95. It’s going to be a great year!
Let’s start with our #1 most requested show, West Side Story, January 4 – 6. Next is Blue Man Group,
January 25 – 27. Monty Python’s Spamalot makes a return engagement March 8 – 10 followed by a big
favorite – Chicago, April 5 – 7. The season ends with the musical comedy The Addams Family, May
3 – 5. All shows have 5 performances to choose from, Friday at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm & 8 pm and
Sundays at 2pm & 7:30 pm.
This season also marks the return of specials! Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live is Sunday, February 10
at 3 pm. Elvis Lives is Thursday, February 21 at 7:30 pm. Humorist and story-teller Garrison Keillor is
Sunday, March 24 at 3 pm.
All tickets are now on sale! Tickets range from $37 to $65 for adults for all shows and performances.
Prices range from $17 to $45 for ages 17 and under for West Side Story, Spamalot, Chicago and the
Addams Family.
Season tickets start at $95 per person for the 5-show Broadway Series. Pick 3 allows you to create your
own package. Pick 3 tickets range from $25 to $59.
Tickets are available in several ways. Season tickets and Pick 3 are available through BTL’s office at 700
Monroe Street, Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm, by calling 256-518-6155, or by completing an online
order form. All individual
show tickets are available
starting September 10
through BTL’s office,
the VBC Box Office and
Ticketmaster (online, by
phone, or any Ticketmaster
outlet). For more information about
Broadway Theatre League,
or to see show videos
and read all about each
show, please visit www.
broadwaytheatreleague.
org or call 256-518-6155.
2012 Ginkgo Haikufest
September 28-30 to be held at
Beautiful Lake Guntersville State Park.
COME LEARN ABOUT AND
SHARE HAIKU POETRY.
256-303-8305 or [email protected]
SE Region, Haiku Society of America
Cara Mae Potters’ Skin Butter
Cara Mae Potters’ Skin Butter™ is “a lotion strong enough to nourish
the hardworking hands of potters, artists, crafters, and gardeners
who beautify our world, the adventurers who explore it, and those
who build and repair our furniture, homes, and vehicles, including
do-it-yourselfers. It’s also a lotion gentle enough to care for the most
sensitive or dry skin for both men and women.”
In 2004, founder and CEO, Cara Steinbuchel, was immersed in the
Western North Carolina pottery community when she formulated a
vegan lotion for potters‘dry hands.
Cara Mae Potters’ Skin Butter is sold in 15 businesses in the Asheville
area and on her website to consumers across the US. Her lotion is a
non-greasy, rich formulation made with natural ingredients in two
scented (tangerine and lavender) and one unscented variety. Cara
increased production this year to accommodate the expanding
demand for her exceptional, hand-crafted product.
Cara Steinbuchel, Lee High School class of ’99, moved to Asheville,
NC after graduation with a BFA from Agnes Scott College in Decatur,
GA. She was drawn to Asheville by the creative community and rich
network of female entrepreneurs, who helped her grow a business
from her love of art. She is an outdoor lover and practicing artist, in
her free time, specializing in painting and encaustics.
CaraMaeSkinCare.com
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Celebrity Concerts
2012 - 2013 Season On Sale Now
Series Subscription for 7 Concerts Available from $100
Huntsville
Chamber Music Guild
w w w. h c m g . u s
The Huntsville Chamber Music Guild is one of
the premier arts organizations in Huntsville and
North Alabama. The annual Celebrity Series
features nationally and internationally acclaimed
chamber music artists and ensembles in concert
and in educational encounters.
HCMG is supported in part by grants from
The Alabama State Council on the Arts
and The Jane K Lowe Foundation.
"NFSJDBO 2VBSUFU
Christian Lane
American String Quartet
Fri, Oct 12, 2012 7:30 pm
Christian Lane, organ
Fri, Oct 26, 2012 7:30 pm
Pa r i s i i Q u a rt e t
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 7:30pm
1BSJTJJ 2VBSUFU
4VTBOOB 1IJMMJQT
Op er a Bi r m i ng h a m
Fri, Jan 18, 2013 7:30pm
Susanna Phillips, soprano
Fri, Jan 25, 2013 7:30 pm
Jo sh ua Bel l , v iol i n
Sun, Mar 3, 2013 3:00 pm
Yakov Kasman, piano
Fri, Apr 26, 2013 7:30pm
Joshua Bell
:BLPW ,BTNBO
Offices and Events t Trinity Methodist Church t 607 Airport Rd, SW t Huntsville, AL 35802 t 1IPOF t JOGP!IDNHVT
Share the Magic with the
Whole Backstage
he Whole Backstage Community Theatre, 1120 Rayburn Avenue in Guntersville has produced
a wide range of quality shows for forty years. This season is no exception! We are proud to
announce our production of Always….Patsy Cline. Witten and originally directed by Ted
Swindley.
T
This show is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died in a tragic 1963 plane crash at
age 30. It is based on a true story about Cline’s friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger.
The two became friends in a Texas honky tonk in 1961. They continued correspondence until Patsy’s
death. The musical play, complete with down home country humor, raw emotion, and even some
audience participation, includes many of the stars
unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces,
Sweet Dreams, and Walkin’ After Midnight.
Kelleybrooke Brown will play the role of Patsy
and Diane Duboise will play Louise. The show will
feature the “Bodacious Bobcats Band”. The show
is directed by Jimmy Davis and is under the musical
direction of Tony Morgan. Performances dates are
September 13-23. Night time performances are at
7PM. Sunday matinees will begin at 2PM. To get
your tickets call the box office at (256)582-7469
Monday through Friday 9AM-1PM.
It’s not too early to think about Christmas! Our
holiday show will be Irving Berlin’s White
Christmas. This play is based on the 1954 film
starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. The
memorable songs, such as Count Your Blessings
Instead of Sheep, I’ve Got Your Love To Keep Me
Warm, and of course the legendary song, White
Christmas, combined with the heartwarming story,
dazzling costumes and dance numbers, makes White
Christmas a holiday experience that is appropriate
for all ages. Performance dates are November 30
– December 9, 2012. For more information see our
website at www.wholebackstage.com.
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Independent Musical Productions
Announces a Season of Premiers
I
ndependent Musical Productions has three local premiers set for the audiences of North Alabama.
Alexander Who is Not, Not, Not, Not, Not Going to Move, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and CATS with a
special night of music with Scott Evan Davis. Vivienne Atkins, Artistic Director for IMP is thrilled
to bring new material to North Alabama as well as some audience favorites produced in Huntsville for
the first time.
Ain’t Misbehavin’, set for October 26th through November 3rd for 2012, is a musical tribute to the
musicians of the 1920s and ‘30s who were part of the Harlem Renaissance, an era of growing creativity,
cultural awareness, and ethnic pride, and takes its title from the 1929 Waller song “Ain’t Misbehavin’”.
It was a time when nightclubs like the Cotton Club were the place to be and dives were filled with piano
players banging out swing music. Five performers present an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous
songs that will have you dancing in your seat.
We are very excited to have Eugene Fleming as our guest artist for this production. Mr. Fleming’s
Broadway career spans two decades and includes such shows as A Chorus Line, Sophisticated Ladies,
The Tap Dance Kid, Black & Blue, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Kiss Me, Kate, Never Gonna Dance, Fosse and
The Wiz. He was the recipient of the Joseph Jefferson Award for his performance in Ain’t Misbehavin’
and was honored most recently with a Barrymore Award for his portrayal of ‘James Thunder Early’ in
Dreamgirls. In addition to performing with us he will also conduct a master class.
An Evening with Scott Evan Davis on January 18th is a cabaret style event straight from New York
filled with new songs from one of Broadway’s newest composers. Performing to a sold out crowd in
Huntsville last winter, Scott is returning in the new year with songs he has performed in New York,
London and Dublin. We are honored to have him join us again for our annual fundraiser.
Alexander Who is Not, Not, Not, Not, Not, NOT Going to Move is set for February 1st and 2nd. Alexander
has just received some really bad news from his parents. His dad has taken a job in a city a thousand
miles away, which means that he and his mom and his dad and his bossy older brothers are going to
have to move to a whole new city. And even though his mom says, “Wait, you’ll like it,” Alexander
already knows that it will be awful! Join IMP as they present this delightful children’s show. CATS will be June 14 through the 22rd of 2013. The worldwide smash hit CATS has never been produced
locally and IMP is excited to take on this musical challenge. It has been performed around the world
many times and has been translated into more than 20 languages but has never been produced locally
because of the many technical challenges. IMP is proud to be the first local company to produce this
special family event.
For more information or to order tickets to any of our productions, please call IMP at 256-415-SHOW
or visit us online at imphuntsville.org.
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Huntsville Art League
– New Opportunities
he Huntsville Art League is a cooperative, non-profit organization, operated through the
volunteer efforts of its members, friends and dedicated staff. There are many new and exciting
things happening – fall classes, a new executive director, new website, a gallery remodel in
the works and new opportunities for emerging artists and seasoned professionals. We are “Where Art
Starts” in the Tennessee Valley!
T
Since its founding in 1957, Huntsville Art League has been a primary source of representation and
support for local artists. Our mission is to promote understanding, appreciation and participation in the
visual arts throughout the Tennessee Valley. This is accomplished through education, exhibition and
community outreach.
Anyone can be a member of the Huntsville Art League. We have many membership levels, the most
popular being senior, individual or family. Members receive special benefits such as reduced prices on
classes, special discounts from partners and sponsors, and even discounts from our own Marketplace
at Huntsville Art League. Huntsville Art League offers a variety of classes and workshops throughout
the year, as well as camps for kids. You can hone your life drawing skills, learn Japanimation, improve
watercolor or pastel techniques, and much more. “Fun Friday” classes are offered each month for kids
and adults where they can explore a new medium and create a beautiful piece of art. Our classes are
listed on our website at www.HuntsvilleArtLeague.org, where you can conveniently sign up and pay
online.
Dedicated to helping artists at all levels, we’ve created an Emerging Artist Mentorship Program. This
program helps artists through mentoring, peer critique, and an education scholarship with the ultimate
goal of helping the next generation of artists find their wings.
Art Classes for Kids and Adults
Unique Workshops
Art Camps
Scholarship Opportunities
Art Gallery & Artist Studios
Emerging Artist Program
Special Exhibits & Events
Community Outreach
Phone: 256-534-3860
Our gallery is packed with all sorts of artwork. Artists must pass standards to exhibit in our gallery,
which means you will find quality and craftsmanship throughout. Oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, mixed
media, photography, note cards, jewelry, sculptures, glasswork, pottery, metal work, hand-painted silk
items, weavings – all these are created by our local Tennessee Valley artists. Plus, don’t miss our artist
studios and our Visiting Artist exhibit.
At the Marketplace at Huntsville Art League, artists can buy art supplies, get their work professionally
photographed and framed, and then get help with marketing – from logo design to a complete
website.
Our executive director, Tracey Chaplin, is committed to our mission and is working with community
members to develop new and exciting opportunities for our artists. Watch our website for updates and
ways you can get involved.
3005 L&N Drive, Huntsville
Tuesday – Friday 11AM – 6PM
Saturday Noon – 6PM
We hope to see you at the Huntsville Art League, “Where Art Starts”. We are here for artists and for our
community. Come by and see us at 3005 L&N Drive, off Drake near Parkway Place Mall. Our hours are
Tuesday – Friday, 11AM – 6PM and Saturday Noon – 6PM. Call us at 256-534-3860 or visit us online
at HuntsvilleArtLeague.org or facebook.com/huntsvilleartleague.
www.HuntsvilleArtLeague.org
oin us in our forty-sixth year of an all-volunteer non-profit organization promoting literary arts in the
Tennessee Valley. HLA offers many activities for lovers of literature, including programs by local
and visiting authors, professional Shakespeare productions, poetry and fiction writing workshops and
literature discussion groups. HLA publishes POEM twice a year, a nationally recognized literary
magazine and, in the fall and winter, co-sponsors Poetry Out Loud, a poetry recitation contest for
young people. In the spring, HLA sponsors the Young Writers Contest, opened to all students in
public, home, and private schools in Madison County. Most activities are free to members; otherwise, members receive reduced admission rates or the opportunity for advance ticket purchase to
major events.
Our Wine and Cheese Membership Party is Sunday, September 30, 4-6 PM.
For invitations call 256- 489-7089
Membership may be paid at the door or mailed using the form below.
Inquires about membership should be made to Peggy Brosious East at 256-489-7089.
Philanthropist
Benefactor
Sustainer
Patron
Family
Regular
Student
Library Subscription
Huntsville Literary Association
$500 or Over
$250
$150
$100
$60
$40
$15
$20
Forty-Six years of an all-volunteer non-profit organization promoting
literary arts in the Tennessee Valley.
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The Indie Publishing
Revolution – Giving Authors
and Readers the Upper Hand
Spotlight on the Arts and the
Artistes: Suzan Buckner
by Valerie Piette
S
uzan Buckner has been an antiques and collectibles dealer, eBay power seller, sheet metal
supervisor, roofer, dog groomer and more, but her whole life she always dreamed of being an
artist. Originally from Pensacola, Florida and now residing in Woodville, Alabama (20 minutes
f you’re a book lover, what’s the best way for you to discover that next great book to read? If you’re from Huntsville), Buckner started to pursue her dream of becoming an artist only four years ago.
a writer, how do you get your book published and out in front of the right readers? The answer to “Until I met and married my husband, Chuck, I just did not have the courage to try (to be an artist). I
both of these questions might be different than you think. The world of books and publishing is had been saying that I would be an artist one day since I could talk. My aunt started taking me to art
undergoing a revolution. Just as the mp3 format and digital distribution changed the face of the music shows at a very young age, and continued taking me until I was old enough to take myself. I have
industry, eReaders, new publishing technologies, and social media are shifting the way authors and always had a soulful connection with art, and it’s ALL I ever wanted to be ‘when I grew up.’”
readers find each other and connect.
Suzan started showing and selling her art for the first time at the Flying Monkey Saturday Artist Markets
Let’s take the question about the road to becoming a successful published author first. In order to at Lowe Mill in Huntsville. That led to other markets including the Chattanooga Market where she
make it onto the New York Times Best Seller list, one thing hasn’t changed. You still need to write a almost sold out of all of her paintings every week for a year.
great book that people enjoy reading. But in the not so distant past, an author didn’t have a snowball’s
chance of scoring a best seller without going through the painful process of wooing a literary agent and “I believe my success is a combination of my faith and beliefs, and a lot of hard work. I work hard,
snagging a contract with a powerful publishing company. The typical author could wait years, or even and am thankful for all I am given. I am blessed to be able to do something that I love to do so much.”
a lifetime, before seeing his or her work in print. Legend has it, for instance, that 12 publishing houses Another contributing factor in her success is her online promotion. “I have always tooted my own horn,
rejected J. K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” before it was finally accepted. so to speak.” She has gained a large number of supporters and collectors online through her website
and Facebook page.
Imagine what it must be like for the typical writer!
by Amy Stapleton
I
Before the publishing revolution, authors had to rest their hopes for success on the business savvy
and marketing dollars of big publishers. Only the publishing houses had the clout required to finagle
a book onto the front table or into the window display of the almighty book retailers. Without proper
placement, a book just didn’t stand much of a chance of grabbing the attention of readers.
Enter the world of independent, or indie, publishing. What is it and how does it work? Let’s say you’ve
written the Great American Novel, but you don’t have connections to a literary agent or time to hunt
for one. In the old days, your only real alternative was to turn to something pejoratively called “vanity
presses.” The common belief was that only authors who weren’t good enough to get their book accepted
by a real publisher would pay to have their books printed. Today, when it comes to indie publishing, the
whole notion of “vanity” gets thrown out the window. Instead of being at the mercy of publishers, indie
writers can now control their own destiny. They now have several great avenues for distributing their
books. Publishing in eBook format can be done at no cost. Smashwords and Amazon’s Kindle Direct
Publishing offer free, effective distribution routes for indie authors to get their work in front of readers.
Other sites, like Bookbaby, offer complete book cover design, formatting, and eBook distribution
services for a fee. There are also lots of options for authors that want to distribute physical copies
of their books using a print-on-demand model. Lulu.com was one of the trailblazers in the print-ondemand space and they continue to serve many indie authors.
When asked what advice she would give to someone who wants to become an artist, but doesn’t know
how to get started, she said, “Well, if you want to just make art, then do it. Have fun, make mistakes,
play. If you want to be an artist that sells art, buy a good marketing book, read it, and follow it. I read
I’d Rather Be in the Studio by Stanfield. It tells you about business cards, inventory, buying a tent, etc.
Selling art is different from making art. One is a joy, pure bliss, while the other is a job, a business.”
Suzan’s work is featured in several publications and a cd cover. She is currently working toward
illustrating a children’s book to be published in 2013.
Suzan will be showing at several upcoming festivals including the Cooper Young Festival in Memphis,
Tennessee, on September 15th; Bluff Park Festival in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 6th; and the
Kentuck Festival of the Arts in Northport, Alabama, on October 20th and 21st. You can find more
information about Suzan’s art at suzanbuckner.com.
So let’s move on to the second question. How do you find an amazingly good book to read? If indie
authors aren’t riding the coat tails of big publishers, that means their books aren’t likely to show up
on the front table at your local Barnes & Noble. So how do you find them? And if the barrier to entry
is so low for getting published, how do you weed out the not so great titles and get to those truly
amazing ones? That’s where social media and social reading sites come in. Probably the most active
of these sites is Goodreads.com. Readers sign up on Goodreads for free and share information with
other readers about the books they read and enjoy. Online reading groups form spontaneously around
common interests in genres and themes. Readers recommend books to each other. Goodreads also offers
an effective platform for indie authors to connect with readers and build a following for their books.
So if you think the only way to find a wonderful book, or get your books in front of readers, is to listen
exclusively to what the big publishing companies tell you, think again! Indie authors are here and the
self-publishing revolution is set to open up a whole new world of great book choices to all of us who
love to read.
The Valley Planet is exploring ways to support indie authors and their readers. In upcoming issues we
may highlight books that were published by local or regional independent writers.
Amy Stapleton is a local independent writer and author of “On Astronaut Wings,” a novel about
astronauts, aspirations, and a mysterious coin from the Mir space station set primarily in the Rocket
City.
Check out the book
by Valley Planet’s own
Shawn Bailey
(writer of Unemployed in Huntsville)!
Kindle edition:
http://amzn.com/B007GI39OI
Nook edition:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
w/sorry-charlie-shawn-bailey/
1111612999?ean=29
40014693547
Paperback:
http://amzn.com/0984276424
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Jeannette King Chaney
by Jim Zielinski
1953– 19 March 2012
he daughter of James “Jim” and Jeanne King
and wife of Cecil A. Chaney, this lady who
brought Spring into our hearts passed away
just as Spring was about to break.
T
A native of Huntsville and a graduate of Athens State
College, Jeannette will be remembered as both a major
driving force in the performing arts across North
Alabama and as an exemplary educator, whether at
school or in the community.
Having gotten involved with local theater by 1964,
Jeannette began performing for Fantasy Playhouse
Children’s Theatre in its very early days.
But work with that group was merely the opening
gun; to quote a fellow thespian who worked with her
for decades, “She was given a gift by God, but she
rewrapped it and gave it back to us over and over.”
In the early 1970’s, she started Florence’s own
children’s theater, the Gingerbread Players. Then,
upon moving to Decatur in 1979, she was asked
by members of the Junior League to organize a
children’s theater workshop; its success resulted in
Dreamweaver’s Children Theater.
In January 1990, Jeannette and Darren Butler opened Jeanette King Chaney as “Dotty” in TH’s “Noises Off.”
Decatur’s Backstage Theatre Company/Studio.
As a director, Jeannette set hundreds of children and teenagers on a path to becoming actors in love with the
stage; she was an excellent teacher. For community theater, she also worked behind the scenes in board and
technical positions; her experience encompassed most of the groups in the Huntsville-Decatur-Athens area.
For audiences, however, she will be ever remembered as a passionately perfect performer of the first order.
Her signature role was “Annie Sullivan,” teacher and lifeline to Helen Keller, in The Miracle Worker. She
portrayed Annie many times for Tuscumbia’s annual Ivy Green production, as well in Decatur and Athens,
and directed the play on stages across the state, including the 2008-2009 season production for Theatre
Huntsville (TH), with whom she began working in 2003, on stage, behind the scenes, and on the Board.
Other favorite roles included “Miss Hannigan,” “Mammy Yokum” and “Jane Eyre.” For her performance
as “Mrs. Dubose” in TH’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” she won both the citywide WINGS Award for “Best
Supporting Actress” and TH’s Noah Award for “Cameo.”
Her last onstage turn was in March 2011 at Decatur’s Carnegie Visual Arts Center; in celebration of Tennessee
Williams’ centennial, she assayed “Amanda” in “The Glass Menagerie” for the Bank Street Players.
In addition to her civic involvement, Jeannette taught English and drama at Holly Pond High School in
Cullman County and later taught for Holly Pond Middle School, as well. She was honored as “Teacher of
the Year” in 2011.
The People Behind The Painting
by Jessica Penot
he old Rathbone house is the creepiest house in Lafayette Square. There isn’t anything tangible
about the creepiness. It is just something you feel in your bones. The square is littered with ghost
stories, but this house feels more haunted than the others. This house was the home of Henry
Rathbone.
T
Henry Rathbone was a much respected member of Washington society. He was the son of a wealthy
man and the step son of a Senator. Rathbone and his wife, Clara Harris, were close friends with
Abraham Lincoln and his wife. When Rathbone and Harris were engaged, the Lincolns’ invited them
to the theater with them. This was a great honor and the Rathbones sat in the presidential box with
the Lincolns. Midway through the play, John Wilkes Booth snuck into the theater and attacked the
president with a large knife. Rathbone had fought in the civil war and was a very brave man. He jumped
up and put himself between Booth and Lincoln. Rathbone was stabbed several times and was severely
injured.
Lincoln was shot by Booth and his ghost has its own story, but Rathbone survived. Rathbone was never
the same. He married his fiancée, Clara Harris, and the two lived in a lovely home on Lafayette Square
across from the White House. They had three children and for a while things seemed fine on the surface.
Beneath the surface, Rathbone was falling apart. His deteriorating mental health was slowly pulling
his family down and when Washington society could bare his behavior no longer, he and his family
were sent to Germany as consuls. The
move was all it took to push Rathbone
over the edge. One night he crept up to
his sleeping wife and shot and stabbed
her. When he was done, he crept into
the children’s room and looked down
upon them sleeping. As he raised the
knife to stab them, the nurse barged
in and shooed him away. He fled and
stabbed himself.
Rathbone was committed to an
asylum in Germany. When the police
interviewed him and asked him why
he wanted to murder his family, he
said that the people behind the painting
told him to do it.
Theatre Huntsville
Rathbone and his wife were buried
in Germany and their graves were
forgotten. They were abandoned and
left to rot. Eventually, the state decided
they needed the grave space and dug
them up, cremated them, and shipped
them back to the states. Their remains
were lost. Ever since that time the old
Rathbone house on Lafayette Square
has been haunted. Visitors to the house
describe seeing phantom lights and
hearing odd noises. Rathbone and his
bride have both been seen in their old
house. Perhaps the people behind the
painting brought them home.
www.ghoststoriesandhauntedplaces.blogspot.com
www.jessicapenot.net
Dance Theatre of Huntsville
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Green Pea Press
W
ant to learn how to print your own t-shirt? Yearning to make letterpress wedding invitations?
Have a few woodblocks or etching plates from college gathering dust in your garage?
Located on the first floor of historic Lowe Mill, Green Pea Press is the only public-access
printmaking studio in North Alabama. Like peas in a pod, we are a community of printmakers; inspiration
and creativity thrive in an environment of support, collaboration, and spontaneity. And like a sweet pea
from the community garden, we believe art should be fresh, accessible, and simply delicious.
We offer workshops for children through adults, press access for artists and entrepreneurs, and custom
screenprinting and letterpress services.
What makes the Pea “green”? We strive to be an environmentally-friendly printshop by making an
effort to use natural cleaners, soy-based solvents, water-based inks and non-toxic chemicals as often
as possible; reusing and recycling just about everything; and staying abreast of the latest advances in
non-toxic printmaking methods.
Independent access to studio equipment is available through membership. GPP Members receive
discounts on classes, participate in group shows, and sell their work on commission at the studio.
Annual Memberships are available for $30, with discounts available for students and Lowe Mill resident
artists. Members can reserve time to use the facilities by purchasing a Monthly Membership for $35 or
time By-the-Block at $20 per 4 hours.
For more information, please visit greenpeapress.com, email [email protected], or come by
the studio.
Renaissance Theatre Presents
Your Favorite Shows
enaissance Theatre invites you to give yourself over to absolute pleasure in its hot new production
of The Rocky Horror Show. Most are probably more familiar with the 1975 film adaptation, “The
Rocky Horror Picture Show” - it’s synonymous with midnight showings around Halloween and
has a cult following - than the Broadway stage version. Yet both are very much the same. Bob Baker
and Gayl Miller’s naughty direction intends to bring the production back to its roots with movieversion twists. The production’s sexy and lewd, but it’s still less provocative than one expects. All the
licentious ingredients are there: tight corsets, fishnet hosiery, bare flesh, leather undergarments, sexual
innuendos and seduction. Choreography is by Emily Parks. The Rocky Horror Show will be presented
on Renaissance Theatre’s Main Stage on October 19-20, October 25-27, and November 1-3 at 7:30pm.
There will be two Midnight showings on October 27 and November 3.
R
Starting the day after Thanksgiving is everyone’s favorite holiday tale, A Christmas Story. The only
thing little Ralphie Parker hopes to find under the tree is a Daisy Brand Red Ryder BB rifle. He doesn’t
simply want it—he’s consumed with an aching desire for it. Looming in the way, however, are alleyway
bullies, major awards, freezing flagpoles, unsympathetic authorities and a certain horrifying Macy’s
Santa. Based upon the classic motion picture, this play is a holiday treat everyone can enjoy—that is,
until someone shoots their eye out… Showtimes are November 23-24, November 29-30, December 1,
and December 6-8 at 7:00pm. Matinees are November 25, December 2 and 9th at 2:30pm.
This February of 2013, the musical, Beautiful Dreamer, based on the short sad life of America’s greatest
songwriter, Stephen Foster, will star Jason Petty, who won the most prestigious of all Off-Broadway
awards (The Obie) for his multiple-nominated creation of the role of Hank Williams in Lonesome
Highway in 2003. Written by A. E. Elmore, Professor of Drama at Athens State University, and directed
by Ron Harris — this show is sure to be an instant classic.
Coming Spring 2013. The Woman in Black, a spine-tingling chiller, is a truly nerve shredding experience.
Prepare to be haunted by one of the best horror stories you will ever see on the stage. Mrs. Drablow
lived alone for more than 60 years in a gothic mansion on an island accessible only by a causeway
at low tide. Something awful happened there and when Kipps arrives at the house himself, awful
things start to happen, including an appearance of the Woman in Black. This thriller contains all the
ingredients of a classic ghost story; deserted mansion, haunted graveyards, and locals who don’t dare
tell what they have witnessed. Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the book by Susan Hill.
Renaissance Theatre is a 501(c)3 Corporation that has produced over 120 plays, musicals, and opera’s,
and was founded in 1998. Located at 1214 Meridian Street, Huntsville. Tickets may be purchased at www.
showclix.com or (256) 536-3117. Visit us on Facebook or on the web at www renaissancetheatre net.
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Making a joyful noise since 1993!
If you are thinking of joining, or if you
want the chorus to sing for an event,
contact Betty Clemens at: 256-5391613 or [email protected]
What’s a “Feminist” Chorus?
he founders of the Huntsville Feminist Chorus chose our name very deliberately to signify a
fervent belief in, and celebration of, the empowerment of women through song. Often our songs
are written by women; and we especially favor songs that value women in their many roles, from
“Lydia Pinkham” (a highly successful 19th century businesswoman whose face appeared on every bottle
of her elixir) to “Ella’s Song,” which honors civil rights worker Ella Baker.
T
We also sing about the Divine Feminine in her many forms – from “Ancient Mother” to “Freya Shakti”
to “Ave Maria.” And we promote diversity with a multi-cultural repertoire, including such songs as the
African “Bonse Aba,” whose words mean: “All who sing have the right to be called children of God”;
the Iroquois Women’s Chant, an appreciation of the custodians of Mother Earth; and “Sometimes I Feel
Like a Motherless Child,” a traditional African American spiritual.
We sing a cappella and are often accompanied by drums and other rhythm instruments that dramatically
accent the message.
There’s a higher purpose to our music as well. In the words of Pam Siegler, our director: “I believe one
of the best ways to bring people together is through music. It is the universal language of the soul that
fosters a connection among all living things. We hope to create music that becomes a wonderful gift to
one another AND to our audiences, transcending notes and words, touching the spirit.”
In keeping with the non-hierarchical nature of feminism, the chorus is governed by a steering committee
that consists of the director, business manager, and a representative from each of the four sections
(first and second soprano, first and second alto). And our concerts are always free to the public. We’re
supported through dues and donations.
There’s no audition to join the chorus – just a commitment to attend weekly rehearsals. If you’re thinking
of joining, or if you want to contact the chorus about singing for an event, contact Betty Clemens at
256-539-1613 or bettyc@hiwaay net.
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UAHuntsville Theatre’s Edgy Window-Smashing Music Director
– Thought Provoking Season to Lead Huntsville Master Chorale
AH Theatre is proud to offer a wide range of theatrical performances produced on the
UAHuntsville campus with students, faculty and artists from our diverse and talented
community. We invite everyone to join us for exciting college theatre right here in Huntsville.
All plays and musical events are held in one of our campus venues: the 49 seat Studio 106 in Morton
Hall, the 125 seat Wilson Theatre in Wilson Hall and the 400 seat Chan Auditorium in the Business
Administration Building. For more information, visit us on the web at www.uah.edu/theatre or call:
256-824-6871
U
Since 2005, UAHuntsville Theatre has produced dozens of plays, musicals and operas, which are
integral to the Theatre Cognate available in the Department of Communication Arts. To earn this
inter-disciplinarian minor, students take classes like Theatre Appreciation, Acting, Video Production,
Elements of Production and Theatre History. This spring we offered Ancient Greek Theatre, which
included two weeks in Athens at the American College of Greece.
2012-2013 SEASON
We start with a new play by 2011 OBIE award winner Samuel D. Hunter. A Bright New Boise
is about a disgraced evangelical from rural Idaho who is forced to take a minimum-wage job at
the local Hobby Lobby craft store in an effort to re-unite with his estranged son. Performances
start October 10th in Studio 106 and run Wednesday through Saturday for two weeks at 7:30pm.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 256-824-6871.
Next is William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, set on a remote island, where Prospero, the exiled Duke
of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place by using illusion and skillful
manipulation. Performances start November 7th in Wilson Theatre and run Wednesday through
Saturday for two weeks at 7:30pm. There will be matinees at 2:30 on Sunday November 11th and
18th.
This spring join us for the hysterical musical Urinetown, set in a grim Gotham-like city of the future
where a 20-year drought has occurred. As a result, the government has banned private toilets and the
citizens must use “pay-to-pee” facilities regulated by a monopolistic company. Performances start
March 16th in the Chan Auditorium and run Wednesday through Saturday for two weeks at 7:30pm.
There will be matinees at 2:30 on Sunday March 17th and 24th.
We wrap our season with a new play by OBIE award winning playwright Gina Gionfriddo. Becky
Shaw is about a woman who decides to set her best friend up on a blind date with her husband’s
mysterious co-worker. This sets into motion a series of cataclysmic events forever changing all of
their lives. Performances begin April 10 in the Wilson Theatre and run Wednesday through Saturday
for two weeks at 7:30pm.
D
r. Patricia Ramirez-Hacker, the new music director for the Huntsville Master Chorale, has
a history of making smash hits – literally!
A few years ago, when she worked with the Honduran National Symphony, she coordinated the
cannons to be used during a performance of Beethoven’s 1812 Symphony. During rehearsal, she
was standing with the Honduran Air Force officers when they blew the test charge – and then
watched in horror as the force of the sound shattered windows in the bank building across from the
historic National Theatre in downtown Tegucigalpa.
In the silence broken by shards of glass tinkling to the sidewalk, the president of the symphony
turned to her and said, “If something happens to the chandeliers in the National Theatre, you’re
going to jail.” Happily, nothing happened to the chandeliers except to glitter over a sold-out
opening for the symphony.
Ramirez-Hacker expects to bring the same excitement, minus the property damage, to the 201213 season of the Huntsville Master Chorale, the area’s oldest chamber chorale organization. A
renowned soloist in Honduras before she moved to the United States for graduate studies, RamirezHacker always expected to be a professional singer. A burst blood vessel in her throat during the
final days of preparation for a recital diverted her studies to her second love, choral directing.
Now minister of music at Huntsville’s First Presbyterian Church, Ramirez-Hacker attributes the
career re-assignment to God’s leading. “God took something out of me that was just for me, and
led me here to be worship leader and to glorify him with other
people,” Ramirez-Hacker said. Her own vocal education
makes her an ideal voice coach for the chorale as well as
conductor. And directing the Huntsville Master Chorale gives
her the opportunity to explore the difficult, obscure, new or
secular choral repertoire that wouldn’t be used in worship.
“I just love to make music,” said Ramirez-Hacker, whose own
rich mezzo-soprano voice has recovered sufficiently to make
her a regionally popular soloist. “And the Huntsville Master
Chorale is a great group to work with. They are eager to learn
new music and to find ways to make music together.”
With many current and former professional musicians and
music teachers in the group, Ramirez-Hacker says the Chorale
pools years of experience to create each concert.
“We love discussing the music,” Ramirez-Hacker said. “We
have different views, and we can merge all these ideas and
then communicate as one voice to the audience.”
Patricia Ramirez-Hacker
30
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
THE VALLEY PLANET
CROSSROADS, Yelawolf w/ Ritz and Trouble Andrew
DIAMONDS, Relayer
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER, Microwave Dave
with special guest April Mae and the Junebugs
w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR),
Gray, Black and White
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, 45 Surprise
KNUCKLEHEADS, Jason Albert Band/ Bike Night
Tom and Dog
SUDS BAR AND GRILL (MADISON), Blues Night w/
Bro Rick-Delta
THE STEM AND STEIN, Aaron Blades
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic
Friday, September 14
BARREL HOUSE, Mentones
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Silverstreak
CARSON’S, Second Hand Smoke
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG.7), The
Young and the Restless String Band
DIAMONDS, Spellbinder
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
FLYING MONKEY ARTS, Theresa Anderson
GEE’S PLACE, DJ
Miller Band
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Space Donkeys
HOPPER’S, The Breakers
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, The Scott Holt Band
LONE GOOSE, Chinchillanaires
LOWE MILL, Woody Pines, (SEE AD PG.17)
SPORTS PAGE, Luke Duncan
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Kings Haze
THE STEM AND STEIN, Trey Morgan
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Matt Caroll and
the Browncoats
BARREL HOUSE, Loveday
BANDITO BURRITO (MADISON), Stand Up Chuck
BERKELEY BOB’S (CULLMAN), Jim Parker
CARSON’S, Chinchillanaires
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE, Open Mic with Barry and the
Bandits
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG.7), James
Smith the Autoharp Man (4-6pm) Open Mic Night
DIAMONDS, Drivin Under
FINNEGAN’S PUB, Bourbon & Shamrocks
FLYING MONKEY ARTS CENTER (SWING DANCE
SOCIETY), Funky Pirates Jazz Band
Square One Band
Tequila Falls
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Booty Shakers
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Kush
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Kozmic Mama
LONE GOOSE, Lance Almon Smith
SPORTS PAGE, Black Label
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Doubleshot
THE VALLEY PLANET
THE STATION, Jason Albert Band/DJ/ Karaoke
THE STEM AND STEIN, EZELL
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Lacey Atchison
Sunday, September 16
Karaoke
Brandon Mac
James Irwin
PARTNER’S BAR & GRILL, Talent Knight w/
Kinsey Malone
SAM AND GREG’S, Chip Gulbro and Friends
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Tim Tucker
w/ Lewis
HOPPER’S, Karaoke w/ Tara
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Open Mic w/
Ant and Andrew
Karaoke w/ Sweet T
Songwriter’s Jam
COPPERTOP, Whiskey River Kings
CROSSROADS, Fishbone
w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Chris Roche
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Dave Anderson/Sean
Chambers
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Benefit
VILLAGE PIZZA (DOWNTOWN ATHENS), The Grant
and Charles Show
BARREL HOUSE, Jim Cavendar
DIAMONDS, The Off Bros.
w/ Lewis
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Brian and Geoff
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Daddy Mac Blues Band
SUDS BAR AND GRILL (MADISON), Blues Night w/
Bro Rick-Delta
THE STEM AND STEIN, Alyssa Jacey
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Open Mic Night
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
31
tried to hop an iron fence, he impaled his leg and
eventually required eight firefighters to rescue
him using hydraulic cutting tools.
Greyston Garcia, 26, who was cleared
of murder charges in January under Florida’s
“stand your ground” defense (even though he had
chased the victim more than a block to stab him
to death after the man took his radio), was inadvertently killed in June by random gang gunfire in
Miami.
Csanad Szegedi, a member of the European Parliament representing the anti-Semitic
Jobbik Party of Hungary (a party whose presidential candidate described Jews as “lice-infested”),
resigned in August after admitting that he had
learned two years earlier that his own mother was
(and therefore he is) a Jew. Initially, Szegedi tried
to quash the revelation via bribery but eventually
resigned, apologized, and vowed to pay respects
at Auschwitz.
by Chuck Shepherd
In August, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration dropped all charges against a doctor who
has been at the center of a prescription-drug fraud
case because, said prosecutors, they have too
much evidence against him and not enough space
to store it. The U.S. attorney in northern Iowa said
her office needs to clear out the 400,000 paper
documents and two terabytes of electronic data
(the latter of which under current technology takes
up little space but in DEA’s antiquated computer
system hogs 5 percent of the agency’s worldwide
electronic storage). The accused, Dr. Armando
Angulo, has lived since 2004 in Panama, which
will not extradite him. (He remains under indictment on state charges in Florida.)
The Litigious Society
If Megan Duskey’s parents had been
with her that night in 2010, they perhaps would
have insisted she (dressed as the comic book hero
Silver Spectre) not try to slide down the railing
during the Halloween-themed ball at Chicago’s
Palmer House Hilton hotel, but she did slide down,
and she fell four floors to her death. Nonetheless,
in July 2012, the parents filed a $500,000 lawsuit
against Hilton and other entities, claiming that the
death of Ms. Duskey at age 23 was the hotel’s and
the sponsors’ fault.
In July, a California appeals court reinstated police officer Enrique Chavez’s lawsuit
against the Austrian gun manufacturer Glock for
its “unsafe” design. Chavez is now paralyzed from
the waist down because his 3-year-old son got
hold of the gun and accidentally fired it, hitting his
dad. Chavez, in violation of police policies, had
left the gun loaded underneath the front seat of his
car, and his son, whom Chavez had not belted into
a child seat, was free to explore while Dad drove.
The gun is regarded as of safe design by dozens,
if not hundreds, of police departments, and the
LAPD disciplined Chavez over the incident.
Democracy in Action
Didier Peleman, 41, is a major-party
candidate for the city council in Ghent, Belgium,
and, like most, has champions and detractors.
Though he has been active in “community work”
for 11 years, Peleman is candid about a mental
disability that noticeably slows down his speaking
and writing and which some voters fear impedes
his reasoning ability. His Flemish Christian Democrats Party said it is important that people with
disabilities challenge constraints.
A July battle in the House of Representatives pitted austerity-driven members striving to
cut $72 million in spending on NASCAR against
North Carolina House members determined to
keep the money in. (Most NASCAR teams are
headquartered in the state, as is the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.)
More than a third of the money would go to the
National Guard for sponsoring driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. The North Carolina legislators believe
military recruitment will suffer unless the race- car
connection is maintained.
All in the Mind
Mark Worsfold, 54, a former British
soldier and martial arts instructor, was sitting
along a road on July 28 watching the Olympic
men’s cycling race when he was detained because
police on security alert said his “behavior” had
“caused concern.” According to a report in The
Guardian, Worsfold, after being handcuffed and
taken to a police station, was told he was arousing suspicion because he “had not been seen to be
visibly enjoying the event,” to which he replied,
truthfully, that he has Parkinson’s disease, which
causes facial rigidity. (After two hours of detention, he was released without charges.)
Dennis Brown, 55, was arrested in
August in Tyler, Texas, after police saw him taking pictures, surreptitiously, of women and high
school girls near Robert E. Lee High School.
Since people in public spaces generally have no
legal expectation of privacy, Brown could not normally be charged with a crime. However, Brown
admitted to police that the mundane photos of the
clothed women were for his sexual enjoyment. He
was perhaps unaware of a Texas Penal Code provision that requires consent for any type of photo
of another person if it is for “sexual gratification”
(a motive that, regarding ordinary photographs, is
nearly impossible to prove -- unless the accused
volunteers it).
Perspective
Problems of the First World: Third
World teenagers often must deal with conscription, sweatshop labor and life as street beggars,
but in affluent New York City (according to a June
report in The New York Times), a major anxiety
of teen and almost-teen girls is having to endure
sleepaway summer camp with hairy legs. Said celebrity makeup designer Bobbi Brown, “If she’s
going to be in a bunk with all these girls,” and
“insecure” about lip or leg hair, “You do whatever you can do to make her feel good.” (Seemingly drawing on the Times story, Uni K Waxing
of New York City announced a July-only special
-- with girls 15 and under receiving a 50 percent
discount on bikini-waxing.)
Recurring Themes
As the frenzied pace of contemporary
life becomes less appealing, Dull Men’s Clubs
have grown since their News of the Weird mention in 2007. A July Wall Street Journal dispatch
from Pembroke, Mass., revealed recent themes
for that club’s excitement-challenged members,
including why one of them carries a spoon everywhere and the old standbys of which way toilet paper should hang and the wisdom of a city’s
street grid system. DullMensClub.com has about
5,000 members who always, according to legend,
“think inside the box” about such topics as remembering to keep their staplers filled and which
way, in airports around the world, luggage carousels turn (clockwise or counter- clockwise).
The Pervo-American Community
Christian Hobbs, 44, was arrested in
Salem, N.H., in August after a woman discovered
him underneath her mobile home, looking up at
her through a hole in the floor of her bathroom.
The woman said Hobbs had sold her the home
two years ago and recently done some handyman
work for her, leading to this unauthorized modiIronies
In July a 30-year-old man suspected of fication. Police said Hobbs had taken cellphone
skipping out on a bar bill at the Hilton Garden Inn video of the woman and her toddler in the bathin Manchester, N.H., did not make it far. As he room and that the food, beverages and tissues
32
#083012091912
found underneath the home suggested that Hobbs
had been there for as long as two days.
The News Is Grim in Africa, Too
From a July report on NewZimbabwe.
com (motto: “The Zimbabwe News You Trust”):
On July 11, as many as 26 women in two villages
presided over by Chief Njelele of Gokwe awoke
missing their panties, which were later found in
a heap down the road, with 17 pairs “positively
identified” by the victims. Just as the chief was
making arrangements to bring in a “prophet” to
find the evil local “wizard,” a huge owl swooped
down a few feet away and carried off a dog. “It’s
mind-boggling what’s going on in the area,” the
chief said.
Unclear on the Concept (and the Image): The Associated Press, reporting in August from Jerusalem, noted that the ultra-Orthodox community’s
“modesty patrols” were selling eyeglasses with
“special blur-inducing stickers” that fuzz up distant images so that offended men will not inadvertently spot immodestly dressed women. (The
stickers apparently simulate nearsightedness, in
that vision is clear in the near-field.) The “modesty patrols” have long tried to shame women
dressed in anything other than closed-neck, longsleeved blouses and long skirts, but may be losing that fight. A columnist for the Tel Aviv daily
Haaretz praised the eyeglasses for shifting the responsibility to men for their priggishness.
Periodically, News of the Weird reports on foreigners’ cuisines that most Americans find “undelectable.” A June Wall Street Journal story featured a hardy, fun-loving group of New Yorkers
(the “Innard Circle”) who dine monthly at out-ofthe-way ethnic restaurants in order to sample such
dishes as camel’s eyeball (“way different from a
goat’s eyeball,” said one member) and “crispy
colorectal,” and had recently learned, from a nonEnglish-speaking waitress, that they had just consumed bull’s diaphragm. Another member admitted “an element of showing off” to the exercise,
and acknowledged that not all rookie members
return for a second meal. The one body part that
no one seems to recall having tried yet: uterus.
The way it usually happens is Mom and Dad start
a road trip with their children, but after a rest stop,
they fail to notice that one of the kids is not on
board, and they may be well down the road before they turn around. However, in June, the family member left behind at a Memphis, Tenn., rest
stop was Dad, and for 100 miles, no one grasped
that he was missing. The family was traveling in
a van, and everyone presumed Dad was in the
back. He was still at the gas station, calling his
own phone (which was in the back of the van).
Dad finally reached Mom in the van by posting
to Facebook.
In June, inmate Michelle Richards, 33, was about
to begin her sentence at the Albany County (N.Y.)
jail when guards discovered a hypodermic needle
and seven packets of heroin inside her vagina.
(She had been arrested for possessing a needle and
heroin in her bra.) Richards’ arrest came about a
week after inmate Andrea Amanatides was caught
at the very same jailhouse using the same hiding
place to sneak in heroin and 256 prescription pills
(reported in News of the Weird eight weeks ago).
(Amanatides’ stash was discovered when the baggie holding it became dislodged and broke open
on the floor.)
Stores and transportation carriers are, after all
these years, still unsure about which “assistance
animals” they must allow without violating the
federal Americans With Disabilities Act. Under
the U.S. Department of Transportation’s latest
draft guidelines for airlines, released in February,
miniature horses and pot-bellied pigs are allowed
on board under certain conditions, but not ferrets,
rodents, spiders, snakes or other reptiles. Apparently there is a North American Potbellied Pig
Association, whose vice president pointed out to
CNSNews.com that swine can be trained to open
and close doors and to use a litter box.
Another Fortuitous Injury: Fortunately, 9-yearold Jacob Holdaway got hit in the head so hard
during a game of kickball in Fairland, Ind., in July
that he started vomiting and having severe headaches. Because his parents took him to a hospital
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
for that head smack, doctors found a golfballsized tumor that might not have been discovered
until after it had become dangerously large. Doctors were able to remove most of it and suspect it
was benign.
Another Absent-Minded Musician: The most recent musician to carry a rare, expensive instrument on public transportation but then forget to
take it with him was the person who in July left a
borrowed Stradivarius violin on a train when he
got off in Bern, Switzerland. Initially, the musician panicked, but the violin was eventually
turned in by a good Samaritan. (The last News
of the Weird report of such a Stradivarius was the
one accidentally left in a New York City taxicab
in 2008. That instrument, reported as worth $4
million, was also returned.)
Several inventors have attempted over the years
to transport bodily sensations over the Internet so
that couples separated by distance can simulate
personal affections to each other. Now comes
Hooman Samani of the Singapore company Lovotics, introducing his “Kissenger” at a design
conference in Newcastle, England, in June. Kissenger is a large, soft ball with human-like lips
and many pressure points, connected in tandem
by the Internet, so that the unique lip movements
by one lover are received precisely by the other as
if their mouths were actually working the kiss. (In
May 2011, Kajimoto Lab in Tokyo introduced a
machine with a straw-like device that, when rotated by one lover’s tongue, theoretically rotated one
in the partner’s device, thus simulating a “French
kiss.” That simulator, though, lacked the pillowlike facial feel of the Kissenger.)
Attendance is still strong in tiny Shingo, Japan,
where villagers are certain that Jesus Christ is
buried. About 500 tourists joined the celebration
on June 3 (an event first held in 1964), in honor
of Jesus’ relocation there (presumably a voluntary
journey from Calvary after the crucifixion). According to legend, he lived out his life in Shingo
uneventfully, and a festival with dancing girls
marks the anniversary.
News of the Weird has reported several times on
farmers who are certain that treating their cows
to better lifestyles improves the quality of their
milk and their meat. In July, London’s Daily
Telegraph, in a dispatch from Paris, touted JeanCharles Tastavy’s experiment feeding three cows
with a fine wine for four months (in a mixture,
along with their usual barley and hay). (They
“loved” it and consumed it “with relish,” said the
farm’s owner.) The resulting meat, labeled “Vinbovin,” is now a delicacy in Paris restaurants (despite steeper prices to reflect the increased feeding costs for the cows).
Michael Wyatt first made News of the Weird in
1991 when foot fetishism was viewed as unfit to
report in most newspapers. Several arrests (owing
to his aggressiveness and threats of amputating
feet) have followed, resulting in jail sentences,
but Wyatt is apparently still unable to resist his
urges. In July in Faulkner County, Ark., Wyatt,
51, was sentenced to a year in prison for violating
the terms of a deferred sentence he had received
for harassing a woman about her feet in 2011.
William “The Hackney Mole Man” Lyttle (first
mentioned in News of the Weird in 2001) died in
2010 after spending most of his last 40 years compulsively digging elaborate tunnels underneath
his home in east London. By the time authorities
could stop him, the hollow shafts were endangering the street and adjacent homes. He was ordered
to pay the equivalent of $560,000 so that the holes
could be filled, and in July 2012 the refurbished,
supposedly structurally sound home was placed
at auction and drew a winning bid of the equivalent of about $1.5 million.
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
JAMES EARL RAY AND THE ASSASSINATION Sci-Fi Review:
OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
Doctor Who –
Shada
by Rusty Michael with Photos by Dr. John Cashin.
“L
ike anybody, I would like to
live a long life. Longevity has
its place. But I’m not concerned
about that now. I just want to do God’s will.
And He’s allowed me to go to the mountain.
And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the
Promised Land. I may not get there with
you. But I want you to know tonight, that
we, as a people will get to the Promised
Land. And so I’m happy tonight. I’m not
worried about anything. I’m not fearing any
man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the
coming of the Lord” -Martin Luther King
Jr. in a speech delivered April 3, 1968 at the
Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee
the book as part of his own plans. From there the
story becomes a universe hopping adventure set
on space stations, asteroids and eventually to the
mysterious Shada itself.
This novelization has been written by Gareth
Roberts, who has written episodes for the current
TV series of Doctor Who. Roberts perfectly
by Matthew Kresal
captures the distinctive style of Adams’ prose be
it the book’s opening paragraph or the closing
n 1979, Douglas Adams was working as the lines of chapter sixty two to name but two
script editor on Doctor Who. Having written or examples. The book is also filled with Adams’
co-written two stories for the series (including trademark style of absurd humor, which never
the fan favorite City Of Death) and on the brink overwhelms the story but rather heightens and
of his own creation, The Hitchhiker’s Guide enhances it. Much of the book’s success comes
to the Galaxy, becoming a worldwide success, from the original Adams script but kudos must go
Adams wrote his Doctor Who
to Roberts for making the script
swansong: Shada. The story was
into a fully functioning novel.
partially filmed before a BBC
strike led to the story being left
The only real complaint about the
uncompleted and thus never
book stems from Roberts’ own
shown. Now, over 30 years
additions and expansions. Most
since those events and more
of them actually improve the
than a decade after Adams’ own
story, but where it runs into issues
untimely passing, a novelization
is in the final third of the novel
of this “lost” Doctor Who story
where he often rewrites complete
is available at last.
chunks of the story. This includes
an additional chapter (chapter
Shada features the Fourth Doctor
seventy three) where the book
(the one with the scarf who was
feels like it’s being drug out for
all teeth and curls), female Time
an additional fifteen pages rather
Lord Romana and robot dog Kunnecessarily. Overall though,
9. It begins in 1979 Cambridge,
the changes work more often than
one of Britain’s most famous
not.
universities, where they’ve
answered the summons of the
So, given that this is in fact a
retired Time Lord Professor Chronotis. It turns out novelization, is there any point in buying it?
that he took a rather dangerous book with him when To my mind, the answer is yes. The quality of
he left their home world of Gallifrey and he wants Adams’ original script shines throughout the book
them to return it. The problem is he’s accidently while the changes, both great and small, made by
loaned it to young graduate student Chris Parsons. Roberts make this stand out as being far more
To make matters worse, there’s a nefarious alien than a standard copy and paste novelization. So
named Skagra who, armed with a sphere capable while Shada might be lost as a TV story, this book
of sucking out a person’s intelligence, is also after version completes it nicely.
I
James Earl Ray
Thirty five years ago when I was a student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa I took a foreign
language and went to the listening lab at the library four nights a week. When I got bored and frustrated
with Chinese I listened to speeches and discovered Martin Luther King Jr. I had heard his “I Have
a Dream” speech that he delivered in 1963 at the March on Washington. When you listen to him in
the trenches in Selma, Chicago, Birmingham and other locations you got a sense of the gift he really
possessed which was his ability to connect with the audience that he was speaking to and deliver the
address in terms that could be best understood.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. His parents were Reverend
Martin Luther King Sr., a prominent minister and Alberta King. He graduated from Morehouse College
with an undergraduate degree in 1948 and entered the Crozer Theological Seminary where he received
a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1951. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Boston
University in 1955. He had numerous influences with the most significant being Mohandas Gandhi.
Martin Luther King Jr. first gained prominence as the leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955.
He was the first president and helped to found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
He became a leader in civil rights and the effort to end poverty. He later became an advocate for ending
the war in Vietnam. In 1964 King became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
James Earl Ray was born on March 10, 1928 to a poor family in Alton, Illinois. He served in the Army
in the late forties in Germany. When he was released from the Army he became a petty criminal and
committed his first crime, a burglary, in 1949. In 1959 he was sentenced to twenty years as a repeat
offender after an armed robbery of a St. Louis Kroger store. In 1967 Ray escaped from the Missouri
State Penitentiary by hiding in a bread truck. Until March of 1968, Ray traveled to St. Louis, Chicago,
Montreal, Toronto, Birmingham and eventually Mexico using the alias Eric Starvo Galt. When he left
Mexico on November 16, 1967 he went to Los Angeles where he attended a bartender school. It was
during this time that he became an enthusiastic supporter of George Wallace who was a candidate for
president at the time.
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968 on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis,
Tennessee. He was in Memphis to support the strike of sanitation employees. Ray left Los Angeles
and arrived in Atlanta on March 24, 1968 where he staked out King’s residence. He then traveled
to Birmingham and purchased a Remington Gamemaster 760 .30-06 and twenty cartridges from the
Aeromarine Supply Company. On April 2 Ray drove to Memphis. No credible historian has disputed
that James Earl Ray murdered Martin Luther King Jr. by firing the rifle from a rooming house close
to the Lorraine Motel. Ray pleaded guilty in March of 1969 and was sentenced to life in prison but
recanted his plea three days later. There were numerous conspiracy theories about the assassination
including Ku Klux Klan involvement, a connection to the mysterious Raoul who Ray said paid him
and gave him instructions and involvement by the government which included the Memphis Police, the
FBI, the Army and the Mafia.
In November of 1991 James Earl Ray published a book, Who Killed Martin Luther King? which was
his version of the assassination. In January of 1992 I was granted an interview with James Earl Ray
by Andrew Hall, his attorney at the time. Ray was
incarcerated at the Riverbend Maximum Security
Prison in Nashville where he had been moved
after he escaped from the Brushy Mountain State
Penitentiary. I invited civil rights activist and
Alabama gubernatorial candidate Dr. John Cashin
to accompany me to the interview. I had read
Hartsville author William Bradford Huie’s account
of the assassination, He Slew The Dreamer, as well
as David Garrow’s book Bearing The Cross and the
Taylor Branch trilogy Parting The Waters, Pillar of
Fire, and At Canaan’s Edge as well as numerous
other articles so I was reasonably knowledgeable
about Martin Luther King Jr. and his assassin James
Earl Ray.
Rusty Michael and James Earl Ray at the Riverbend
Maximum Security Prison
We met with James Earl Ray in February of 1992. After going through several security checks we were
ushered in to a conference room. The room was about 10’ X 12’. When James Earl Ray was brought
into the room the guards treated him like a celebrity. He was cordial and seemed to be in a good mood.
James Earl Ray was not a very bright person and could not keep his version of the assassination from
varying. Ray maintained that his attorney when he pleaded guilty, Percy Foreman was motivated by
money. Ray argued that his confession was coerced. He gave two different stories about buying the rifle
in Birmingham. He also said that the FBI did not conduct forensic tests on the bullet that killed King.
Dr. Cashin turned his tape recorder off about half way through the interview and asked Ray, “Is there
anything you want to tell me”. His response was in the negative. We spent about three hours with James
Earl Ray and when I left I was more convinced that he was King’s assassin.
Martin Luther King Jr. was only thirty nine when he was assassinated. January 15, his birthday, became a
national holiday in 1986. The world is fortunate that an individual like Martin Luther King Jr. lived.
[email protected]
THE VALLEY PLANET
#083012091912
Photo by Crystal Vickers.
Friday
Night
on the
Docks at
Lowe Mill
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
33
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday, August 30
There will be a concert with Ivy Joe Milan & Jim
Cavender at 6pm at the Huntsville Madison County
Main Library, atrium. www.hmcpl.org.
There will be a Sidewalk Arts Stroll in downtown
Huntsville at 4:30- 8:30pm.
www.sidewalkartsstroll.com.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will have the Exhibit,
Encounters with Sloane Bibb on display through
September 16th. www.hsvmuseum.org.
Art with a Twist will be at the Huntsville Museum of
Art from 5:30-8:30pm. www.hsvmuseum.org.
The Green Pea Press is located on the first floor of
historic Lowe Mill, this low-toxicity studio providing
resident and local artists access to equipment in a
variety of fine art print media, including wood/linocut,
etching, letterpress, screen-print and bookmaking.
They will be offering a variety of classes for fall. www.
greenpeapress.com. (See ad pg.28)
The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will host
a recruitment event at Asbury United Methodist
Church at 6pm. This event is focused on girls living in
West Madison.
800-734-4541 x1233, [email protected].
Align and Wine is hosted by Mitzi Connell every
Thursday at 6pm at the Huntsville Museum of Art. This
event is 75 min of yoga followed by wine, appetizers &
camaraderie downstairs at Pane e Vino. The Align/Yoga
class alone is $15 Align & Wine altogether is $22.00,
plus the cost of any menu items you order.
http://MitziConnell.com.
Operation Green Team will have Play Days at Hays
Nature Preserve. Enjoy exercise surrounded by the
beauty of the Preserve. [email protected].
Green Street Market will be every Thursday this
summer at 4pm, on the corner of Green Street and
Eustis Street.
There will be a Sightseeing Cruise on the Pickwick
Belle at Ingalls Harbor from 1-2:30pm. The cost is
$19.99 for adults, $9.99 children under 11. It will be
every Thursday and Saturday through August.
The Huntsville Botanical Garden will have Cocktails
and Dogtails at 5pm. Back by popular demand, our
four legged friends will be welcome in the Garden
each Thursday, 5-8 pm continuing through September
27th. www.hsvbg.org.
Amateur Open Mic Night will be at The Cove
Comedy Club, 6565 Hwy 431. Sign-ups start at 7pm,
show starts at 8pm. It will be every Thursday night.
It is hosted by Tom Hand. the.homegrown.comedy@
gmail.com.
There will be a Health Forum on Stroke at the
Huntsville-Madison County Public Library at 2pm.
256-532-5940, www.hmcpl.org.
“Light the Night” kickoff event will be from 11:30am
until 1pm. Join us in Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainments
first floor connector as we kick off the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night walk! There will
be motivating speakers, gift basket raffles and FREE
FOOD! [email protected]. (See ad pg.17)
The 2012 Small Business Awards Celebration
Dinner will be at the VBC North Hall at 5:30pm.
There will be a Concert at the Columns with
Microwave Dave and the Nukes at 7pm at the
Huntsville Botanical Gardens. www.hsvbg.org.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will have The Red
Clay Survey: 2012 Exhibition of Contemporary
Southern Art now until September 16, 2012. www.
hsvmuseum.org.
The Huntsville Botanical Gardens will have
Scarecrow Trail and Enchanted Forrest now through
the end of October. 256-830-4747, www.hsvbg.org.
Call to Artists in the Area, The Maury County
Arts Guild in Columbia, TN is currently accepting
applications from artists and crafters for the juried
41st Annual Meriwether Lewis Arts and Craft Show to
be held on October 13 & 14, 2012 Booth fees start at
$100.00 for a 12’x 12’ space for crafters. Applications
are available at www.artsguild.org, 931-215-1616.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will have the exhibit,
The Art of Nature, an exhibition that will bring to life
Huntsville’s Goldsmith Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary
as seen through the eyes of area artists, historians,
authors, and poets. It will be on exhibit until October
7th. www.hsvmuseum.org.
The Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice
Age Exhibit will be at the Space and Rocket Center
now through September 2, 2012.
www.spacecamp.com.
August 30-September 1
Men Have Cycles Too will be at the VBC Playhouse.
Thursday-Saturday performance times are at 7pm
with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. The cost is
$25 or $30 at the door. 256-683-9108.
Friday, August 31
The Epic Comedy Hour will be from 8-11pm in the
Flying Monkey Theatre on the second floor of Lowe
Mill ARTS & Entertainment. Admission is $8. Visit
www.jarrodharris.com. (See ad pg.17)
There will be a Three Artist Receptions at Lowe Mill
from 6-8pm. Admission is free. The artists in exhibition
are Paul Wilm (1st floor gallery), Ann Steverson (2nd
floor connector gallery), and Dwin Hart (3rd floor
gallery) There will be a viewing of recent work and
refreshments. www.lowemill.net. (See ad pg.17)
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. There will be art, jewelry,
vintage clothing, records, and more interesting things
for sale inside. It will be on the 2nd floor of Lowe Mill.
www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) will discuss
unidentified flying object phenomena on the first
Saturday of each month at Meteor Buffet, 731
Highway 72 East in Huntsville. The meeting will begin
at noon. 256-217-0598.
The Alabama A& M Bulldogs vs. the Tuskegee
University Golden Tigers will be at 6pm at Legion
Field in Birmingham. The cost is $25.
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 The
Latter Day Lizards and calling by Lisa Greenleaf. It
is from 7:30pm until 10:30pm. Lessons begin at
7pm. Admission is $10 and $7 for students. Children
under 12 are free. 256-837-0656, http://secontra.com/
NACDS.html.
Fantasy Playhouse Pancake Breakfast will be at
Applebee’s Huntsville/South Parkway from7- 9:30
am. Tickets are $6 and available through the Fantasy
Office. There will be costumed waiters and a magician
to entertain while you eat! www.letthemagicbegin.
org. (See ad pg.14)
The Huntsville Ghost Walk will be tonight at 6pm at
Harrison Brothers. Tonight there will also be a Ghost
Trolley Tour at 6pm. It will be every Saturday through
October. www.harrisonbrothershardware.com.
events cont. on pg. 35
REGIONAL CONCERTS
ATLANTA
September 7, Train, Chastain Park Amphitheatre
September 12, Uproar, Aaron’s Amphitheatre
September 12, Slash, The Tabernacle
September 14, DJ Pauly D, Wild Bills
September 15, Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Scott McCreey, Aaron’s Amphitheatre
September 18, Ben Folds Five, The Tabernacle
BIRMINGHAM
September 14, Yelawolf, Sloss Furnace
September 21, Brian Regan, BJCC Concert Hall
October 6, Miranda Lambert, Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
October 7, Bonnie Raitt, BJCC Concert Hall
HUNTSVILLE
September 7, Jim Parkers Songwriters, VBC Playhouse
September 12, Elton John, VBC Arena
September 29, Rhythms, Brew, & BBQ Festival, Redstone Arsenal
October 7, Willie Nelson, VBC Concert Hall
MEMPHIS
August 31, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Live at the Garden
September 12, Train, Mud Island Amphitheatre
October 5, Bonnie Raitt, Live at the Garden
NASHVILLE
September 4, Kiss and Motley Crew, Bridgestone Arena
September 4, Dead Can Dance, Ryman Auditorium
September 14, Metric, Ryman Auditorium
September 15, Kelly Clarkson and The Fray, Bridgestone Arena
September 17, Ben Folds Five, Ryman Auditorium
September 23, Carrie Underwood, Bridgestone Arena
September 28, Martina McBride, Ryman Auditorium
September 28, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Ryman Auditorium
TUSCALOOSA
August 31, Chicago, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
September 7, Charlie Wilson, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
September 11, Train, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
September 13, Alan Jackson, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
September 14, The Fray and Kelly Clarkson, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
September 28, Corey Smith, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
October 25, Neil Young, Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre
34
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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
THE VALLEY PLANET
events cont. from pg.34
There will be a Planetarium Show every Saturday
night at 7:30pm at the Planetarium. www.vbas.org.
Operation Green Team will lead hikes through Hays
Nature Preserve on the natural and paved trails each
Wednesday from 9 to 11am. Enjoy exercise surrounded
by the beauty of the Preserve. Registration is free.
256-532-5326, [email protected]. In the
event of inclement weather, hikes will be canceled.
Monte Sano 10 K and 5 K Road Races and Fun Run
will be at Monte Sano State Park at 8am.
Gee’s Place will have West Coast Swing every
Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm. The cost is $5.00.
JBC Launch Party for a new Multi Media Company
located at 722 Clinton Street in Huntsville. It will be
from 4-10pm. This event is free.
Just Us Comedy Open Mic will be at The Creek Bar,
2704 Johnson Road. Sign-ups start at 7pm, show starts
at 8pm. It will be every Wednesday night. It is hosted
by Tom Hand. [email protected].
There will be a Madison Farmers Market today at
8am. It is located at 1282 Hughes Road in Madison.
Sci-Quest Hands on Science Museum will have
Parents Night Out from 6-9pm. www.sciquest.org.
September 1-2
The 14th Alabama Cavalry, the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry,
and Camp 580 Sons of Confederate Veterans will host
the Battle for Decatur Civil War Reenactment at
Point Mallard Park in Decatur, AL. The annual event
commemorates the four day battle which took place
in October 1864, telling the story of Decatur’s small,
but significant role in the War Between the States.
Admission is free. 256.350.2028, www.decaturcvb.
org.
September 1-5
The Northeast Alabama State Fair will be at John
Hunt Park. 256-883-5252.
Sunday September 2
The Film Co-op monthly workshop will be from 24pm. It will meet in Don’s Studio, #264 at Lowe Mill
ARTS & Entertainment. Open to all, public invited. 256457-5371. www.lowemill.net.
Executive Women International of Huntsville will have
the Annual Sips & Swirls Scholarship Fundraising
Event, “Cocktails in Casablanca”. It will feature live
entertainment, tapas and a silent auction. It will be
from 6-9pm at the VBC East Room 2. Admission is
$30 or $50 per couple in advance. www.ewihsv.org.
The Green Street Market will be in downtown
Huntsville on the corner of Green Street and Eustis
Street at 4pm.
September 6-7
Justin Williams, Tricked Out Tour will be at
Merrimack Hall Performing Arts. He presently hosts
the hit shows “Cupcake Wars” and “Last Cake Standing”
on the Food Network and is the star of “HubWorld”
and “Scrabble Showdown” on the recently launched
Hub Network. The shows start at 6:30pm and ticket
prices are $25-$35. www.merrimackhall.com, (256)
534-6455. (See ad pg.16)
The 7th Annual Caribbean Day at The Park will
be at Stoner Field Park, off Stringfield Road in
Huntsville. It will be from 12pm until 6pm. There will
be a live Reggae band (Kush) Admission is free. www.
CANAonline.com , 256-536-3425.
Friday, September 7
Monkey Speak will be at the Flying Monkey from
8-11pm. Admission is $5. It is an exciting open-mic
night, an open stage for anyone to read, perform or
improvise poetry drama or prose or any variation of
the spoken word. No experience is necessary. Mature
audiences only. www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
Scottsboro’s First Monday Arts Sunday “Arts in
the Park” will be at King-Caldwell Park, Scottsboro.
Over 150 artisans and craftsmen from all over the
southeast and southwest participate in a juried show
and offer their artworks and crafts for sale. Admission
is charged. 256- 259-1056.
Jim Parker’s Songwriters Showcase will be at the
VBC Playhouse. It will feature performances by, Alan
Rhody, Mike Loudermilk, w/ special guests MaryJustice
Lucas. www.jimparkermusic.com.
There will be a Civil War Luncheon on the Pickwick
Belle at Ingalls Harbor from at 12:30pm.
256-341-4930.
Monday, September 3
There will be Bulldog Talk with Coach Anthony Jones
at the Improv Entertainment and Restaurant at 6pm.
Join Coach Jones each Monday during the season to
talk Bulldog football and other athletic teams.
Ider Mule Day returns to the mountaintop town to
celebrate its agricultural heritage. The day-long event
kicks off at 9:30am with a parade featuring mules,
horses, carriages, antique cars and tractors. The daylong event also offers an antique engine and tractor
display, an antique tractor pull, arts and crafts, and
games for children. Admission is $2 per person and
children five years old and younger are admitted free.
All activities are held in and around Ider Town Park
located off of Highway 75 at 183 Sweet Gum Road.
www.DiscoverLookoutMountain.com.
Barks and Brew Dog Training will be every Monday
and Wednesday through October at the Huntsville
Dog Park. www.homegrownhuntsville.com.
Movies for Moms will be at the Monaco Theatres at
11am. It provides mothers with infants an opportunity
to see one of the latest movie releases at a great value.
www.monacopicturesusa.com.
(See ad pg.8)
The Huntsville Art League will have Figure Drawing
Group every Monday from 9 am until noon at the
HAL Gallery. http://huntsvilleartleague.org. (See ad
pg.24)
The Dance Club presents ballroom dancing
(Rhumba) every Tuesday night. It is located at South
Memorial @ Mythewood Dr. Aldersgate. Free dance
lessons begin at 7:30pm. Dancing continues until
10:15pm. The cost is $5 for regular and $3 for students.
256-883-6107, dancehsv.mindspring.com.
There will be an art exhibit by Keith Jones at the
Wilson Hall Gallery at UAH. It will be on display
through September 21. 256-824-6114. (See ad
pg12).
There will be an art exhibit by Lindsey Bonen
(September 4-14) and Lucas Baker (September 10-26)
at the Salmon Library Gallery Hall Gallery at UAH.
256-824-6114. (See ad pg12).
Jazz and Jokes will be at 8pm at The Green Room
Lounge, 1914 Jordan Lane Northwest. It is hosted
by Nikki Hairachi. It will be every Tuesday night. the.
[email protected].
West Coast Swing will be at Crossroads Music Hall
downtown. It will be at 7pm with a lesson followed by
open dancing until 10pm.
Gee’s Place will have Line Dance class every Tuesday
from 6-8pm. The cost is $5.00.
THE VALLEY PLANET
Karen Young, soprano, will present a faculty recital
at 7:30pm, at the home of Dr. Louis Weiner, in
downtown Huntsville. It is hosted by UAH Music.
(See ad pg.12)
September 7-8
Art on the Square Arts League and Athens State,
University Livingston Concert Committee, will
sponsor performances at Athens State University, for
students in Athens and Limestone County, by the
Alabama Blues Project, Advanced Band at 9:30am on
Friday. Both performances are free and open to the
public. The band will perform at 10:30am, Saturday,
during the festival in downtown Athens. The Art on
the Square Fine Arts Festival on Saturday has dancers,
performing artists, writing, food, fun and more! 256656-6588. (See ad pg.18)
second Sunday of the month at 2pm at the VFW Post
2702 located at 2900 N. Memorial Parkway. www.
rollingthunder-al-chap2.org.
There will be a Bikini Bike Wash at Bishop’s
Southside to support the Rocket City Chapter of
B.A.C.A. 256-883-2111.
Dine & Dash, a downtown trolley tasting will be
at downtown restaurants and bars. The cost is $30
per person. It will be from 6-9pm. It will be the 2nd
Thursday thru September as the trolley whisks you
to five different downtown establishments. Seats are
limited.
September 7-9
The Building Home and Garden Show will be at the
VBC South Hall this weekend.
TEDxHuntsville 2012 will be at Randolph’s Thurber
Arts Center from 1-5pm. Doors open at noon. The
cost is $40. http://tedxhuntsville.com.
There will be a concert with Raw Material at 6pm
at the Huntsville Madison County Main Library,
atrium. www.hmcpl.org.
There will be a Sound Celebration featuring the
Rocket City Barbershop Quartet, The Zamboni
Brothers, Shugah and Irish Dancers. It will begin at
7pm at Mayfair Church of Christ. The cost is advance
is $15 for adults and $10 for students. 256-693-7215.
JDRF Walk to cure Diabetes will be from 1-5pm. It
will be at Dynetics at Research Park. It is a family
friendly walk with 1 and 3 mile options.
The Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table’s 2012
Sesquicentennial Dinner, featuring Edwin C. Bearss
as the Keynote Speaker: “First Battle of Bull Run/
Manassas - A New Face on the War” will be at 6:30pm
at the Elk’s Lodge in Huntsville. The cost is $30. 256541-2483.
Alabama Youth Ballet will have Open Nutcracker
Auditions from 2-4pm. Parents must come at 1:30pm
for a Nutcracker Orientation Meeting. This audition
is open to anyone in the community interested in
being in Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker, A
Yuletide Ballet, including AYB dancers. The audition is
open for ages 7 and Ballet I or above - adults. www.
alabamayouthballet.org. (See ad pg.17)
Choose Life Walk for Life will be at Big Spring Park
at 8:30am.
There will be a Book Signing with Steve Gierheart,
The Conjurer from 8-11am at Coffeetree Books and
Brew. www.coffeetreebnb.com. (See ad pg.7)
The 9th Annual Frantic Frog Triathlon will be at
Goose Pond Colony at 8am
The Miss Depot Days Pageant takes to the stage
beginning at 10am at the Sparkman Civic Center.
The pageant is open to girls up to 18 years old.
256-773-4370.
The Mentone Area Arts Council presents Harry
Holstein, noted authority on early settlers in
Northeast Alabama and Northwest Georgia in a lecture
presentation at the Kamama Gallery in Mentone on
at 7 pm. The cost is $10. [email protected].
The Posey Peep Show: Vote Sofonda 2012, the
Perpetual Party will be from 9-11:30pm. They’ll be
marching to the White House in their platform shoes
in the Flying Monkey Theatre on the second floor of
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment at 9pm. Political
contributions of $10 (or larger) will be graciously
accepted. www.flyingmonkeyarts.org.
Sunday, September 9
The Rolling Thunder Alabama Chapter 2 meets the
#083012091912
The Huntsville Photographic Society Program
Night will be at 7pm at the Huntsville-Madison
Public Library. www.hmcpl.org.
How to Do Things: Electronics with Arduino will be
at the Huntsville-Madison Public Library from 6:308pm. www.hmcpl.org.
Local war-hero and New York Times best-selling author
Michael Durant will speak about leadership. The
event will be held on Patriot’s Day at the Huntsville
Museum of Art, and a reception and book signing will
follow. A limited number of discounted tickets will be
available for veterans, active military, and DOD with
identification. A portion of proceeds will go to the
Wounded Warrior Project. www.hsvmuseum.org.
The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will host
a recruiting event at St. John the Baptist Church
at 6pm. This event is focused on girls living in East
Madison.
800-734-4541 x1233, [email protected].
Saucy Duo Crafts Party, Magazine Bowls, will be at
Burritt on the Mountain from 6:30-8:30pm. www.
burrittonthemountain.com.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens will have Cocktails
in The Gardens. There will be live music by UnKnamed
Band, the Jeff Otwell Duo, and India Ramey. www.
bbgardens.org.
The Huntsville Museum of Art will have the Exhibit,
The World of Gloria Vanderbilt on display through
October 24, 2012. www.hsvmuseum.org.
There will be a Paint Your Pet Class at Lowe Mill from
5:30-8:30pm. The cost is $50. www.lowemill.net. (See
ad pg.17)
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
The Beloved Book Club will meet at Beloved Books
& Gallery at Lowe Mill from 6:30-7:30pm. Light
refreshments including wine will be served. www.
lowemill.net. (See ad pg.17)
September 13-16
The Whole Backstage Theatre presents, Always Patsy
Cline. It will be at the Whole Backstage Theatre
at 1120 Rayburn Avenue in Guntersville, AL. www.
wholebackstage.com. (See ad pg.22)
Oktoberfest will be at the Redstone Arsenal Activity
Field. The cost is $12. www.redstonemwr.com.
“Onstage with Fantasy”, the 2012 Gala Fundraiser for
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy
will be held at the VBC Concert Hall. Please join us
for a magical evening of dinner, drinks, dancing and
a fantastical silent auction. 256-539-6829, www.
letthemagicbegin.org. (See ad pg.14)
The Five Feathers Motor Cycle Rally will be will
be in the Old Time Pottery Parking Lot from 5:3010:30pm. This event is free. 256-325-8317.
September 14-15
The 18th annual Riverfest event will be at Ingalls
Harbor. Live music featuring popular local and
regional bands entertains the crowd on both Friday
and Saturday evenings. Along with the BBQ cook-off
and music, there are food vendors offering barbeque
from mild to fiery and other traditional festival food
and a free children’s area. www.decaturjaycees.com.
The 11th Ole Timey Craft & Bluegrass Festival will
be at the Paint Rock Valley Lodge & Retreat on
County Road 9 in Estillfork, AL.
events cont. on pg. 36
35
events cont. from pg.35
September 14-16
Theatre Huntsville presents “Greater Tuna”, at the
VBC Concert Hall. It will be Friday and Saturday at
7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. This is a hilarious sendup of small town morals with a tour de farce of quickchange artistry with two actors, 20 characters and a
barrel of laughs. Ticket prices are $18 Adults / $15
for students, seniors (65+), and active military. www.
yourseatiswaiting.org. (See ad pg.19)
The 13th Annual Moon Dance will be from 7-11pm.
The event site is a former limestone quarry called Three
Caves located at the foot of Monte Sano Mountain
in Huntsville. Tickets are $65. Shuttle buses will bring
guests to Three Caves from nearby Huntsville Hospital
parking lots. www.landturst.org.
The Alabama A& M Bulldogs vs. the Prairie View
will be at 6pm at Louis Crews Stadium at Alabama
A&M University.
The 2012 Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle
Ride will begin in Bridgeport, AL at 8am and end in
Waterloo, AL.
There will be an Alzheimer’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s
at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Registration
starts at 7:30am and the walk is at 8am. www.
huntsvilleurbannetwork.com.
The Coffeetree Books and Brew will have a Special
Musical Event with James Smith, the autoharp
man from 4-6pm. There will be a special menu of
White beans, ham and corn bread pudding. www.
coffeetreebnb.com. (See ad pg.7)
The Society for Technical Communication (STC)
Huntsville, Alabama Chapter is sponsoring an
Introduction to XML Workshop. The workshop will
be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at UAH in the Salmon
Library, Room 211, with registration beginning at
9am. Fees are $10 for students, $20 for STC members
and $25 for non-members. [email protected], www.
stc-na.org.
There will be a Pony Painting Party from 3-5pm.
Monica Yother, owner of MY Designs, is teaming up
with her ten year old daughter, Erin, to introduce Pony
Painting Parties. The parties will be at the MY Designs
Studio 114 in Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment.
256-520-4134, www.myhorsesart.com.
There will be a Book Sighing Tasia Malakasis, Local
Cheese Guru, at Harrison Brothers in downtown
Huntsville from 2-4pm. 256-536-3631.
The Huntsville Community Chorus will have a concert,
BLUE and GRAY, at Randolph School. There will be
a Matinee and an evening performance with special
guest The old Towne Brass. www.thechorus.org.
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 and calling
by Jane Ewing. It is from 7:30pm until 10:30pm.
Lessons begin at 7pm. Admission is $10 and $7 for
students. Children under 12 are free. 256-837-0656,
http://secontra.com/NACDS.html.
The 32nd Annual Hartselle Depot Days Festival, a
tribute to the railroad industry and its contribution
to Hartselle and the North Alabama region, returns
to downtown Decatur. There will be four blocks in
the downtown area, the day-long event offers a day
of live music, a car, truck and motorcycle show, 5K &
1-mile fun run, craft show, karaoke contest, children’s
art show, children’s rides and games, Antique Tractor
& Gasoline Engine Show, food and an assortment of
vendors. 256-773-4370.
The Huntsville Bead Society will be having a Wrap
Bracelet workshop at the Huntsville Main Library in
the A&B room from 6:30-8:30 pm. Kits are $10 for nonmembers. [email protected].
Sci-Quest presents Quest for Excellence Lecture
Series with Dr.Gary Zank from UAH. It will be from
5:30-8pm. The cost is $25 for public/$20 for Sci-Quest
members and college students. www.sciquest.org.
The Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison
County Annual Outing will be at Ditto Landing at
5:30pm.
The Huntsville Hospital Autumn Chase 1 Mile Run
for grades K-8 will be at the Jaycee’s Building at
3pm.
September 20-22
Theatre Huntsville presents “Greater Tuna”, at the
VBC Concert Hall. It will be Friday and Saturday at
7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. This is a hilarious sendup of small town morals with a tour de farce of quickchange artistry with two actors, 20 characters and a
barrel of laughs. Ticket prices are $18 Adults / $15
for students, seniors (65+), and active military. www.
yourseatiswaiting.org. (See ad pg.19)
September 20-23
Disney on Ice, Worlds of Fantasy, will be at the VBC
Propst Arena. Tickets are $12- $40. (See ad pg.19)
The Whole Backstage Theatre presents, Always
Patsy Cline. It will be at the Whole Backstage Theatre
at 1120 Rayburn Avenue in Guntersville, AL. www.
wholebackstage.com. (See ad pg.22)
The “Burlesque Assassins” film screening will be
from 8-11:30pm at Lowe Mill. Admission is $10. The
evening’s entertainment combines a film premier
with a touch of live burlesque. Doors open at 8pm,”
live” burlesque teaser at 8:30pm, screening at 9pm.
www.lowemill.net,
www.burlesqueassassins.com. (See ad pg.17)
The 11th Annual September Celebration will be at
the VBC North Hall at 6pm.
September 21-23
NECA Craft Show will be at the VBC South Hall this
weekend.
There will be a Book Signing with Judy Gill, Wishing
You Well, from 8-11am at Coffeetree Books and
Brew. www.coffeetreebnb.com. (See ad pg.7)
There will be Friends of the Poor Walk to benefit the
needy and suffering in the Huntsville/Madison area.
This is a 5k walk. It will be at 8am at Our Lady, Queen
of the Universe. 256-658-5171, colbeyisthomas@
gmail.com.
Saturday Afternoon Specials will be at the Fantasy
Arts Center. Storytelling, skits, crafts, etc. to delight
the young ones. www.letthemagicbegin.com. (See ad
pg.14)
Hounds in a Hurry...to find a cure! Dog Walk will
be at Hampton Cove Middle School from 9-1pm.
Registration is $25.
September 22-23
Huntsville Symphony Orchestra presents, Cirque de
la Symphonie at the VBC Concert Hall. Performance
times are Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.
256-539-4818, www.hso.org. (See ad pg.20)
THE END!
September 15-16
The Claire Lynch Band will be a Merrimack Hall
Performing Arts at 7:30pm. www.merrimackhall.com.
(See ad pg.16)
There will be a Free Day and Dulcimer Festival at
Burritt Museum from 12-5pm.
www.burrittonthemountain.com.
Alabama Ballet presents “Rooster” and George
Balanchine’s “Serenade”, at the Bevill Lyceum on the
campus of NACC in Rainsville at 7pm.
The Society for Technical Communication (STC)
Huntsville, Alabama Chapter membership meeting
will be held on at 5:30pm at The Scene Lounge
(Monaco Theater). Meetings are held on the third
Tuesday of each month and all members and visitors
are encouraged to attend.
http://stc-na.org/.
Bouncing into Girl Scouts will be at Monkey
Town Play Center in Huntsville from 6-8:30pm. It
is for grades K-3rd.The cost is $8 per girl, plus a $12
membership fee for non-Girl Scouts; adults free. An
adult must attend with child. www.girlscoutsnca.org/
program-registration.
The Senior Expo will be at the Von Braun Center
South Hall at 9am.
Saucy Duo Crafts Party, DIY earrings, will be at
Burritt on the Mountain from 6:30-8:30pm.
www.burrittonthemountain.com.
36
#083012091912
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
H
untsville’s Jeff Scarborough
with BooBoo Stewart at the
Space and Rocket Center.
BooBoo has been in some of the
Twilight movies and is going to
be in the upcoming movie, SPACE
WARRIORS, which may be released in spring, of 2013.
THE VALLEY PLANET
BANDITO SOUTHSIDE, Whiskey River Kings
BISHOP’S EAST SIDE, Blue Handel Band
CARSON’S, Shannon Hubbard
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG.7), Larry,
Peggy and Jerry, Old Friends
DIAMONDS, Yard Boys
EL HERRADURA, Edgar
FURNITURE FACTORY, Jason Albert Band
GEE’S PLACE, DJ
Miller Band
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), 4 on the Floor
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Black Eyed Susan
LEE ANN’S, Pla’Station
LONE GOOSE, Toy Shop
LOWE MILL, Microwave Dave, Charlie Howell and Jim
Cavender (SEE AD PG.)
SPORTS PAGE, Angry Native
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Bibb City Ramblers
THE STEM AND STEIN, Aaron Blades
VOODOO LOUNGE BAR & GRILL, Kings Haze
BERKELEY BOB’S (CULLMAN), Jim Parker
BLACK WATER HATTIE’S, Blue Handel Band
CARSON’S, Lacey and Patrick
CHARLOTTE’S PLACE, Open Mic with Barry and the
Bandits
COFFEETREE BOOKS & BREW (SEE AD PG.7), Open
Mic Night
DIAMONDS, The Underdogs
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES (DECATUR), Square
One Band
Tequila Falls
HARD DOCK CAFE (DECATUR), Groove
HUMPHREY’S BAR &GRILL, Cousin Boogie
IMPROV, Marc Lacey and Friends
LAS TROJAS, Edgar
LEE ANN’S, Big 40
LOWE MILL, The Wrong Brothers, Brotha Ric, Heather
Kilgore (SEE AD PG.)
DJ EZ
SAM AND GREG’S, Chip Gulbro
SPORTS PAGE, Rock Show
THE BRICK (DECATUR), Vegabonds
THE STEM AND STEIN, Brent Morgan
An Abstract Theory
Karaoke
Brandon Mac
THE END!
50 Years Old!
60 Years Old!
…and Older?
by Jim Zieliński
he Arts have been a part of the local “fabric” since Day One, with musical and theatrical performances documented back even before the 1820’s. As an example of their stability and YOUR
support, several area arts groups have met - and passed - their 50-year mark. Among them are:
T
♫
♫
♫
♫
♫
♫
Huntsville Community Chorus Association;
♫
♫
♫
Decatur Civic Chorus;
Huntsville Art League;
Broadway Theatre League;
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre;
Rocket City Chorus;
Huntsville Symphony Orchestra; and
Huntsville Photographic Society
Congratulations on achieving all your milestones and a wish for CONTINUED SUCCESS! And here’s
to The Whole Backstage in Guntersville – who turned forty a few years back and his heading toward
the half-century mark with determination!
The Arts are chief among our socioeconomic building blocks and everyone, from the man on the street
to the parents of schoolchildren to civic officials, needs to acknowledge that! SUPPORT THE ARTS!
#083012091912
August 30 - September 19
© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I’m afraid your vibes
are slightly out of tune. Can you do something
about that, please? Meanwhile, your invisible
friend could really use a Tarot reading, and your
houseplants would benefit from a dose of Mozart.
Plus -- and I hope I’m not being too forward here
-- your charmingly cluttered spots are spiraling
into chaotic sprawl, and your slight tendency to
overreact is threatening to devolve into a major
proclivity. As for that rather shabby emotional
baggage of yours: Would you consider hauling it
to the dump? In conclusion, my dear Ram, you’re
due for a few adjustments.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Is happiness
mostly just an absence of pain? If so, I bet
you’ve been pretty content lately. But what if a
more enchanting and exciting kind of bliss were
available? Would you have the courage to go after
it? Could you summon the chutzpah and the zeal
and the visionary confidence to head out in the
direction of a new frontier of joy? I completely
understand if you feel shy about asking for more.
You might worry that to do so would be greedy,
or put you at risk of losing what you have already
scored. But I feel it’s my duty to cheer you on. The
potential rewards looming just over the hump are
magnificent.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I’ve got some
medicine for you to try, Gemini. It’s advice from
the writer Thomas Merton. “To allow oneself
to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting
concerns,” he wrote, “to surrender to too many
demands, to commit oneself to too many projects,
to want to help everyone in everything, is to
succumb to the violence of our times.” It’s always
a good idea to heed that warning, of course. But
it’s especially crucial for you right now. The best
healing work you can do is to shield your attention
from the din of the outside world and tune in
reverently to the glimmers of the inside world.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): I dreamed you were
a magnanimous taskmaster nudging the people
you care about to treat themselves with more
conscientious tenderness. You were pestering
them to raise their expectations and hew to higher
standards of excellence. Your persistence was
admirable! You coaxed them to waste less time and
make long-range educational plans and express
themselves with more confidence and precision.
You encouraged them to give themselves a gift
now and then and take regular walks by bodies
of water. They were suspicious of your efforts to
make them feel good, at least in the early going.
But eventually they gave in and let you help
them.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In the spirit of Sesame
Street, I’m happy to announce that the next few
weeks are brought to you by the letter T, the
number 2, and the color blue. Here are some of
the “T” words you should put extra emphasis
on: togetherness, trade-offs, tact, timeliness,
tapestry, testability, thoroughness, teamwork,
and Themis (goddess of order and justice). To
bolster your mastery of the number 2, meditate on
interdependence, balance, and collaboration. As
for blue, remember that its presence tends to bring
stability and depth.
Theatre Huntsville
(through one of its parent companies, Huntsville Little Theatre);
THE VALLEY PLANET
FREE WILL
ASTROLOGY
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the creation myths
of Easter Island’s native inhabitants, the god who
made humanity was named Makemake. He was
also their fertility deity. Today the name Makemake
also belongs to a dwarf planet that was discovered
beyond the orbit of Neptune in 2005. It’s currently
traveling through the sign of Virgo. I regard it
as being the heavenly body that best symbolizes
your own destiny in the coming months. In the
spirit of the original Makemake, you will have the
potential to be a powerful maker. In a sense you
could even be the architect and founder of your
own new world. Here’s a suggestion: Look up the
word “creator” in a thesaurus, write the words you
find there on the back of your business card, and
keep the card in a special place until May 2013.
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When novelist James
Joyce began to suspect that his adult daughter
Lucia was mentally ill, he sought advice from
psychologist Carl Jung. After a few sessions
with her, Jung told her father that she was
schizophrenic. How did he know? A telltale sign
was her obsessive tendency to make puns, many
of which were quite clever. Joyce reported that he,
too, enjoyed the art of punning. “You are a deepsea diver,” Jung replied. “She is drowning.” I’m
going to apply a comparable distinction to you,
Libra. These days you may sometimes worry that
you’re in over your head in the bottomless abyss.
But I’m here to tell you that in all the important
ways, you’re like a deep-sea diver. (The JoyceJung story comes from Edward Hoagland’s
Learning to Eat Soup.)
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): No false
advertising, Scorpio. Don’t pretend to be a
purebred if you’re actually a mutt, and don’t
act like you know it all when you really don’t.
For that matter, you shouldn’t portray yourself
as an unambitious amateur if you’re actually an
aggressive pro, and you should avoid giving the
impression that you want very little when in fact
you’re a burning churning throb of longing. I
realize it may be tempting to believe that a bit of
creative deceit would serve a holy cause, but it
won’t. As much as you possibly can, make outer
appearances reflect inner truths.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In Christian
lore, the serpent is the bad guy that’s the cause
of all humanity’s problems. He coaxes Adam and
Eve to disobey God, which gets them expelled
from Paradise. But in Hindu and Buddhist
mythology, there are snake gods that sometimes
do good deeds and perform epic services. They’re
called Nagas. In one Hindu myth, a Naga prince
carries the world on his head. And in a Buddhist
tale, the Naga king uses his seven heads to give
the Buddha shelter from a storm just after the
great one has achieved enlightenment. In regards
to your immediate future, Sagittarius, I foresee
you having a relationship to the serpent power
that’s more like the Hindu and Buddhist version
than the Christian. Expect vitality, fertility, and
healing.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In Lewis
Carroll’s book Through the Looking Glass, the
Red Queen tells Alice that she is an expert at
believing in impossible things. She brags that
there was one morning when she managed to
embrace six improbable ideas before she even
ate breakfast. I encourage you to experiment with
this approach, Capricorn. Have fun entertaining
all sorts of crazy notions and unruly fantasies.
Please note that I am not urging you to actually
put those beliefs into action. The point is to give
your imagination a good work-out.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I’m not
necessarily advising you to become best friends
with the dark side of your psyche. I’m merely
requesting that the two of you cultivate a more
open connection. The fact of the matter is that if
you can keep a dialogue going with this shadowy
character, it’s far less likely to trip you up or
kick your ass at inopportune moments. In time
you might even come to think of its chaos as
being more invigorating than disorienting. You
may regard it as a worthy adversary and even an
interesting teacher.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You need more
magic in your life, Pisces. You’re suffering
from a lack of sublimely irrational adventures
and eccentrically miraculous epiphanies and
inexplicably delightful interventions. At the same
time, I think it’s important that the magic you
attract into your life is not pure fluff. It needs some
grit. It’s got to have a kick that keeps you honest.
That’s why I suggest that you consider getting
the process started by baking some unicorn poop
cookies. They’re sparkly, enchanting, rainbowcolored sweets, but with an edge. Ingredients
include sparkle gel, disco dust, star sprinkles -and a distinctly roguish attitude. Recipe is here:
tinyurl.com/UnicornPoopCookies.
Homework: Forget about “less is more” for
now. How are you going to apply the principle of
“more is more”? Freewillastrology.com.
37
Zee’s Rocket
City bEAT
by Jim Zieliński w/Photos by Derrick Lovette
AST-MINUTE REMINDER: In mere
hours, Guntersville and any visiting thereat
will enjoy Crustacea’s Comeback via
the 41st ANNUAL ST. WILLIAM SEAFOOD
FESTIVAL. Things start hopping, or crawling,
this Saturday at 10:30 a m. at Civitan Park. Visit
www.valleyplanet.com and check out our last ish
for details!
Just a little past Lydia Gold Skatepark and before
you hit Meridian Street and/or someone on it, look
to your left at the south side of PARK PLACE,
the strip housing FURNITURE FACTORY,
PARTNERS, and so on. Here you’ll find the
still-new SANDWICH FARM [106 Cleveland
Avenue, NE; (256) 715-7131; Facebook]. The
menu is relatively straightforward, but diverse;
small wonder the one thing that would pop out as
La Weems, Chef Ink, and I perused it would be
the Duck Sandwich, sporting brie, figs, and duck
confit on focaccia. The Meatloaf and Braised
Pork sammies also sound inviting, further proof
that the farmer and the cowman (and the pigboy)
should be friends. This is a welcome relief from
the same-ol,’ same-ol’ sandwich joints that dot our
horizon.
After embarking upon the FREE Weekend
Downtown Trolley Route, Rhonda Prentice,
Daniel Jada, and I discovered said Sandwich
Farm was only one of many establishments on
John Rice’s current 30-minute route. Others we
passed included the aforementioned Park Place
inhabitants, PAPOU’S GREEK CUISINE [110
Southside Square; (256) 534-5553; http://papouhsv.
com], SAM & GREG’S PIZZERIA/GELATERIA
[119 North Side Square; (256) 533-9030; www.
samandgregs.com], COMMERCE KITCHEN
[300 Franklin (Southeast Square); (256) 3826622; www.thecommercekitchen.com], THAI
GARDEN [800 Wellman Avenue, NE; (256) 5340122; ilovethaigarden.com], KAFFEEKLATSCH
[103 Jefferson Street, North; (256) 539-1636;
www kaffeeklatsch.com],
RUTH’S
CHRIS
STEAKHOUSE [Embassy Suites; 800 Monroe
Street, SW; (256) 539-3930; www ruthschris.com/
Steak-House/20824/Huntsville ], and then some. Again, the tour’s gratis…and you’re probably one
of those missing out on it. Stop, already.
Sad to relate…CESIA’S BAKERY/PANADERIA
MEXICANA [2900-M Triana Boulevard SW;
(256) 323-3902] has closed. If you never visited,
you missed some great baked goods. Nevertheless,
we bid adios.
Recently, notorious blogger Sarah Brown asked
where one might fine Bubble Tea (a k.a. Pearl or
Boba Tea) hereabouts, so…despite the fact it’s not
mine fave (during a moment’s respite from Ted
Drewes in St. Louis, I trundled to The Loop and
tried it)…I did a little researching and phoning
L
Café 153 at
Bridgestreet
by Stephanie Davidson
L
ooking for an ambiance Starbucks with a
more low key vibe? Then Bridgestreet’s
Café 153 is the place for you. Located at
355 The Bridge Street, Suite 121, Huntsville, AL
35806, Café 153 is a quaint, corner bistro open
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With the average
meal priced at nine dollars or less and the fabulous
coffees under five dollars, who could go wrong?
Upon walking in, one can’t help but notice the
warm decor. It’s a great place to take a break from
the day to read and have a cup of coffee, which
some customers were taking full advantage of. To
the left of the door is the first floor seating. Straight
ahead is the counter, complete with hanging,
colorful menus. To the right is the large wooden
staircase, leading to more seating on the second
floor. From the open second floor you can see the
entire restaurant. Because of the open floor plan,
it’s easy to hear when your order is called. Lovely
outside seating is also available. Plus it’s a great
place to people watch.
sandwich to waffles to a French vanilla muffin
with chocolate chips and chocolate drizzle. This
was the “to die for” muffin, and it had no trouble
living up to its reputation. When an order is ready
the food comes out on simple white plates, the
coffee in mugs with character and the smoothies
in handy to go cups. The orders can be customized
to the customer also. For example: fruit cup or
The staff was helpful and friendly. When I asked chips? Muffin warmed or not? Type of bread for
for a particular muffin that had been recommended the sandwich? Flavored or regular coffee? Then
there are the coffee beans themselves. Café 153
by a friend as “to die for”, the server
roasts several different types of
made a special trip to the kitchen
coffee beans from around the world,
because they had sold out of those
proving always fresh coffee.
muffins earlier. They were happy
to help however they could and
With so many choices it’s easy to
answered any question any of the
forget you’re in a small café. So
customers had. At one point two
stop by sometime with a good book,
customers got confused in picking
a little while to hang out, and see
up their orders, the staff was swift
what great food and drinks await
to the rescue, remaining polite and
you.
friendly.
The menu is small, but packed with
tasty treats, from a chicken salad
38
Editor’s note: (And, they carry the
Valley Planet!)
#083012091912
to unearth area purveyors. From its humble
Taiwanese beginnings, this beverage-cum-dessert
has taken up residence all over our fair nation―
and yes, even in MadCo. It’s a combo of a tea
base, and/or fruit or fruit syrup, and/or milk, all in
varying amounts, along with little, chewy “pearls”
(tapioca balls) that typically require a king-size
straw to accommodate their uptake. Though it’s
too sweet for me, I do appreciate the novelty, so
here goes:
BENTO BOX [1591 Hughes Road, # B; (256)
895-8655; Facebook] ―The price I was given was
$3.50; frozen blend flavors include Honeydew,
Mango, Thai Coconut, Pina Colada, Strawberry,
and several others. Milk tea, such as the Hong
Kong style, is also available.
EMMA’S TEA ROOM [1 Pratt Avenue, NE;
(256) 489-5850; www.emmastearoom.com;
emmastearoom@knology net]―Bubble
tea
By Advance Request for $4.99. Flavors have
included Coconut Milk, Chai, Raspberry Tea,
and several other fruit flavors except, I’m told,
Pamplemousse.
THANH HUNG ASIAN MARKET [(256) 4640944; 8760 Madison Boulevard, Suite B] ―Here,
you can purchase the fixin’s to boil up your own: Black, Green, and Taro Root-flavored teas can be
had at $2.39.
There are rumors of a couple of other
establishments offering this particular libation,
but their long-term inability to either answer a
telephone or fully stock a Facebook page make
both communication and marketing seem like
fads.
There’s news on the “rustic barn-style” DIRT
ROAD BBQ AND GRILL in Trinity…they’re
expanding. The four partners, Jason Owens, Scott
Grant, Juan Garcia, and The Dark Knight (no
names, please), having opened a second outpost
on 2 August in Decatur, proper [1614 Beltline
Road, SW; (256) 584-6622], are now looking
at a third in East Limestone. Says Decaturite
Kimberly Parker, “although they will put BBQ
on just about anything for you,” the menu sports
several other items, such as seafood, [over]stuffed
potatoes, and “some very good desserts.” At
the Decatur location, nestled near the Booksa-Million Shopping Center, the bib-and-bracebedecked employees will offer a selection of
seven different styles of wings – Asian glaze,
anyone? – and serve draft, bottled, and pitchersful
of beer. From what I hear, the latest spot will be
on the corner of Capshaw Road and County Road
109, a k.a. East Limestone Road. The best way
to follow them, it seems, is with Facebook. Or
bloodhounds.
A recent alert by AAMU Professor Emeritus Dr.
Virginia Gilbert led me to double-check the status
of the monthly OPEN MIC NIGHT WRITERS’
SERIES at EARTH FARE [5900-C University
Drive, NW; (256) 721-7017; www.earthfare.
com]. Ginny tells us that Community Relations
Coordinator Molly Kyser recently had a baby
boy―Congrats, Molly!―and that at that time
a temporary hiatus would be observed, with an
expected “Some-Friday-in-September” date for
(re)kicking off the evening paeans to prose and
poetry.
Since Open Mic Nights have opened at varying
times and the days on which they’ve occurred
have vacillated, as well, keep watch on the EF
website though, for now, it seems they’ve settled
on Fridays. OMN’s last about two hours, are held
in the Cafeteria Area, and may include original
readings, ideas for suggested writing activities,
poetry slams, imaginative exercises, and creative
competitions. On special occasions, published
works are read. Says Ginny, “…when Adrienne
Rich died in April, I read one of her great
poems, ‘Diving into the Wreck,’ which was also
appropriate because it was…the Centennial month
for the sinking of the Titanic. Then I read one of
my poems that dealt with wrecks…” Which was
obviously convenient to have.
Previous nights have included various perquisites
provided by Ginny and/or Earth Fare, e.g.
tastings, door prizes and giveaways, healthy
snacks and bottled water, musicians, and $5-off
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
coupons for those spending $25 or more, a great
bonus for area artistes and lovers thereof. That,
and the increasing turnout each go-round. By
the time you read this, Molly will have returned,
and the time slated for the open mic reboot will
take place from 6:30 – 8:30 p m. on Friday, 14
September…and will include a wine and cheese
tasting! For more specific info, contact Ginny
directly at (256) 464-9130 or [email protected], or
call the marketplace, itself. The events are Free
and Open to the Public, especially writers and
lovers of literature: bring YOUR original works
(original being their only requirement)…and your
mouth…and get to gabbin.’
DAYTRIPS: Coming a bit early this year—in
fact, one week before the GREEK FEST! (see our
next issue)—is Birmingham’s SAINT GEORGE
THE GREAT MARTYR (MELKITE RITE)—
MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD FESTIVAL [425
16th Avenue South; (205) 492-9621; www.
saintgeorgeonline.org] running Thu – Sat, 20
– 22 September, and just about a block off I-65,
it’s a pleasant road trip to this Egyptian-IsraeliSyrian-Turkish branch of the Catholic Church. Hours are 10:30 a m. – 2:00 p m. and 4:00 p m.
– 9:00 p m. (Takeout Service Hours: 11:00 a m.
– 2:00 p m. and 4:00 – 7:00 p m.) Various plates
will hold assorted combinations of kibbee, grape
leaves, Arabic salad, rice, spinach pies, meat pies,
and more; one can also order a la carte. As to
be expected, and awaited, AMIN SULTAN will
return on Friday and Saturday eves to the outside
tented area to get the mob a-dancin’ – and if
you’re not moving, have your pulse checked to
see if it exists. Bento Box
Sandwich Farm
Thanh Hung Asian Market
Emma’s Tea Room
THE VALLEY PLANET
DIRECTV is currently recruiting for the following position:
IT Manager (Huntsville, AL) 1201182
If you are not able to access our website, DIRECTV.com, mail your resume andsalary requirements to: DIRECTV, Attn: Talent Acquisition,
161 InvernessDrive West, Englewood, CO 80112. Include the reference number for theposition in which you are interested. To apply
online, visit:www.directv.com/careers. EOE.
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
classifi [email protected].
LC – Very smooth, very very smooth. Yunohoo
Black Camaro - No reason to drive like a bat outa hell – you almost made my grandmother
wreck on 565!
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 classifi[email protected].
If I thought the Rio Olympics would have women’s volleyball on a nude beach I’d order
tickets now. A dawg
Baby, I love you so much! Five years and it just keeps on getting better! Will you marry
me? Your Gingerbread Boy
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.
nal 1/2 cover band playing energetic roots based music
(blues, reggae, soul, rock, second line, funk). 256.361.5524.
Multi-inst. front guy seeks STRONG drummer and bassist; ideally, onesings. Starting point is strong covers of Sting,
Dire Straits, Police,etc., and origs. Aim is not just bar gigs but
also amazing jams thenmore-much more. [email protected] or 831-331-7006. Thanks!
LEAD GUITARIST NEEDED Experienced bassist & drummer looking for lead guitarist to form 3-piece lassic/southern rock & blues band to play local clubs, parties, etc in the
Huntsville area a couple of times a month. Vocal ability
would be a plus but not required. We also have PA, lights
and a place to practice already covered. Call 256-684-6654
or 256-479-9106 or send email to [email protected]
or [email protected] if interested.
RT- I’m sorry I screamed in the theatre and spilled our $20 worth Cokes and Popcorn.
When that rat ran across my feet I couldn’t help it. I will refund your money after I make
the mgr. fork it over, else I’ll publish the name of the place in the next VP and contact the
health dept- LG
GUITARIST seeking interested jazz, classical, easy listening, and light rock musicians in northern Alabama
and southern Tennessee for jam sessions.
(931)438-3298 or [email protected]
ET: Did you really let someone draw chest hairs on your chest with a permanent marker?
Probably limited your clothing choices for a few days, huh, girl?
Musicians to play Open Mic Jam with the Crawlers on
Wednesdays 8 to 12 at Coppertop. Call 256 759-7571
I know several young people on disability and geezers on SS and Medicare planning to
vote Rep. Hello? What’s wrong with this picture. Dumbasses. TCR
Southern Gospel Quartet, all parts needed: singers, bass,
tenor, baritone and lead. Instrument players needed also.
Call Billy 256 612-7509 or Wayne 256 603-4650.
E. Let Major Tom pilot the tin can once in a while. I’ve ridden with both of you and he’s by
far the better driver. A friend
On the first one, get rid of the shob. 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
Psychedelic Raspberry is a up and coming 60’s cover
band. We are currently seeking a drummer, a keyboardist,
or a vocalist. Equipment optional. Contact Jeremy at (256)
605-1839 or email us at [email protected].
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 origi-
Hartke Bass Amp for sale: 120 watts 15in speaker Call
256.642.9277
Something different? Rock Opera / Musical performance piece. Our project needs M & F singers to complete
CD production. If U can sing & are interested in broadening
GY - Now I know why I liked to kiss you so much. You taste like my ex and I saw you together. I’m telling the boss and you’ll never eat at Chick-Fil-A again. Try Captain D’s. NF
M: I told you it was chicken but guess what? Don’t be surprised if you start rattling.
Happy Anniversary, Baby, got you on my mind. Yunohoo
Jen: GPS does NOT stand for God Piloted Steering! You have to use common sense! K
MLW - Alright already, I’m getting the Viagra and the cat can’t scratch it. YLH
Cheers to AM! Cookie cake was the bomb! JW
Hey Asia, where are you my little pet? Please come back home – I miss you so! Your Hero
Please help support this year’s Huntsville Executive Lock Up to benefit
the Muscular Dystrophy Association onThursday, September 20th at the
Huntsville Botanical Garden. This year we are “Tailgating for a Cure”
Please donate to a jailbird or become a jailbird at www.mdalockup.org/
2012huntsville . The money raised at this event will send kids like Ethan
(seen in picture attached) to MDA summer camp! At summer camp, kids
with muscle disease can zip line, ride horses, tube around the lake and
enjoy spending a week with other kids just like them and MDA covers all
cost! MDA also helps provide others services to local patients.
THE VALLEY PLANET
#083012091912
The Little German Band performs authentic German classics, marches, polkas and waltzes. They also do favorite German sing-a-longs as well. Catch
them at the Schnitzel Ranch on University Dr. in Huntsville on August 31 and
September 1st at 6pm.
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 12
39
go green
and you could win!
Redstone Federal Credit Union is giving away an Apple® iPad 2® every week, with one lucky
member receiving the grand prize – a Toyota® Prius! Your checking account is your key
to entry.* Earn automatic entries through December 15, 2012 when you:
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162 - Valley Planet

Transcription

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