the lexington project

A quick one - announcements, a recipe from Vanessa, and the Picks (thanks to Michael Lunsford, Chris Bush, Eric Sutherland, and Robert Beatty for help). Look for a slew of cd reviews ‘n such in the next issue.

Set your weekend off right – hook up with the Critical Mass bike ride in Woodland Park at 5, then bike over to see what Cannonball Press has got going on in the Barnhart Gallery. All the info’s below.

Happy Birthday, Robot Booty, Tony, and D-Rel.

Hope all are well.
Ross

:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::

** TODAY! Fri/Sept. 29 – Critical Mass
Join the Critical Mass "Happy Friday Bike Parade" this afternoon at 5pm at Woodland Park (corner of Kentucky and High). The two-wheel convoy is a perfect time to get comfortable riding in the streets if you are not already used to it. All Bikes and energy levels are welcome. Bring friends, signs, noise makers, etc. The ride will shove off about 5:15pm and usually lasts around an hour.


** TONIGHT! Fri/Sept. 29 – Cannonball Press at UK’s Barnhart Gallery
Cannonball Press, a Brooklyn, NY based letterpress and print shop will be having a show at the Barnhart Gallery (2nd floor of UK’s Reynolds Bldg – on S. Broadway, across from Black Horse Motors) this Friday from 6-9 pm. Headed by artists Mike Houston and Martin Mazzora Cannonball Press is best known for their gigantic "Frankenbanners"; collaborative prints running as big as 20' squares. They also will be showing and selling other Cannonball prints from all over the US. Mazzora and Houston will be in town for a lecture and show as part of the University of Kentucky Fine Arts Visiting Artist Program. For more info visit www.Cannonballpress.com


** FREE flicks …
Your update on our two favorite FREE movie series.

> Bluegrass Film Society’s series at BCTC
Thurs/Oct. 5 - House of Fools (Andrei Konchalovsky: Russia, 2002) 104 mins

Movies are screened Thursdays at 7:45pm in the main auditorium of the Oswald Building on the campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College. The screenings are FREE and open to the public. For more info about the films, as well as tons of great info about other interesting film happenings around Lexington and Central Kentucky, go to http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com.

> The UK’s Student Center Film Series is doing a “Glam Rock Weekend.” Hedwig and the Angry Inch kicked it off last night. Next up …
Fri/Sept. 29 – Breakfast On Pluto at UK’s Worsham Theater, 1st floor of the Student Center near the UK Bookstore
Sat/Sept. 30 – Velvet Goldmine at UK’s Worsham Theater

Next week, just one movie, but it’s a good one …
Thurs/Oct. 5 – The Warriors at UK’s Center Theater

All the Student Center Film Series movies are FREE and begin at 10pm. Keep your eyes peeled to http://www.uky.edu/StudentCenter/FilmSeries/ to see what they’ve got coming up.


** Fri & Sat/Sept. 29&30 - Sabi Diri returns!
Aminata Cairo (formerly Baruti) recently re-upped her dance troupe Sabi Diri as Sabi Diri, s.b.i. (so be it). The group’s short high energy piece at Mecca’s “Hafla Pura” a couple weeks ago absolutely killed. The troupe celebrates its return to the scene with “coming out/fundraiser” performances tonight and Saturday at ArtsPlace (161 N. Mill St.). The shows start at 7:30pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4-12 years old, free for children younger than 4. After you see them live, you’re going to want to get in on the fun. Well, you’re in luck, Sabi Diri will host an ‘experience workhhop’ involving song, dance, and drama, this Sunday, October 1st from 2:30-5pm at Mecca: Live Studio and Gallery, 451 Chair Avenue (just off S. Broadway near Bolivar). The workshop fee is $25.

A little more info about the troupe …
The newly formed Sabi Diri, s.b.i. dance company is the rebirth of Sabi Diri, which originated in 2001. Drawing from their multi-ethnic heritage and cultural pride, Sabi Diri, s.b.i. aims to be an example of celebrating the human spirit and of “creating spaces without apologies”. Under the artistic Direction of Aminata Cairo and Jason Thompson, and the musical direction of Tripp Bratton, the company produces performance pieces rooted in traditional and contemporary African, Afro-Surinamese, and other ethnic dance forms, but are multi-dimensional and inclusive of song, poetry, visual arts, and live music.


** Sat/Sept. 30 – Grand Opening – ReBelle on S. Limestone
ReBelle, the new little, hip knitter’s paradise at 371 S. Limestone (below Sqecial, in the old Paisley Peacock spot), hosts a grand opening celebration this Saturday from 10am-9pm, promising “free learn to knit classes, prizes, and refreshments!” (Ummmm … refreshments … count me in.) They’ve got a great contest to boot – the “Make Our Store Cozy Contest.” Simply knit or crochet a cozy for something in the store (“handles, doorknobs, whatever”) and submit it at the shop. Prizes will be awarded for Smallest Cozy, Largest Cozy, Most Pointless Cozy, Most Extravagant Cozy, and Most Creative Cozy. Entries are due by 9pm on Saturday. Yarn and needles will be provided or you’re welcome to bring your own.


** Tues-Thurs/Oct. 3-5 - The Balagula Theatre presents Michael Frayn’s “Copenhagen” at Natasha's Café
The Balagula Theatre, arguably Lexington’s most innovative theater troupe, presents “Copenhagen,” a play by Michael Frayn, October 3-5 at Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade (across from the Kentucky Theatre). Directed by Natasha Williams and Ed Desiato and starring Ryan H. Case, Janet Scott and Adam Luckey, the production will run on the following schedule:

Matinée Soup Performance: Sunday, October 1
Show begins at 2pm. Tickets: Donations Accepted
Bring your own bowl for complimentary soup to enjoy during the performance

Public Performances: October 3-5
Seating for dinner between 6:30pm-7:15pm; Show begins at 8pm
Tickets: $12 General admission with dinner seating/ $15 limited show-only seating

Student Group Shows: October 3-4
Seating for dinner between 6:30pm-7:15pm; Show begins at 8pm
Tickets: $9 Students / $12 General admission with dinner seating/ $15 limited show-only seating

For a full synopsis of the play, visit http://beetnik.com/Curent%20Productions.htm. For reservations, call 859/259-2754


** Thurs-Fri/Oct 12-13 – Surprise Theatre: “Tales of the Macabre” at Natasha’s Cafe
The return of Natasha’s acclaimed “Surprise Theatre.” Balagula Theatre’s unique brand of theatre returns with “Tales of the Macabre” Thursday, October 12 and Friday, the 13th at Natasha’s Café, 112 Esplanade. A recent email from Natasha’s summed it up nicely, “Four shows, two nights, and one hell of a Friday the 13th!” Performance times are Thursday Oct. 12 at 7pm and midnight, and Friday the 13th, 6pm and 9pm. Admission is $5, all ages welcome. To reserve seats, call 859/259-2754.


** The Great Outdoors …
I know, I know – the weather hasn’t exactly invited outdoors exhaltations lately, but p’haps that’ll change. Here are reminders about a couple of events Greg hipped us to in the last issue.

:: Friday and Saturday, September 29–30 ::
The Cave Run Storytelling Festival. Enjoy America's best loved storytellers in a beautiful mountain lakeside setting. Let these talented artists take you away to other times and places through the intrigue of storytelling. Stories will be told in large tents on the shore of Cave Run Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Ghost stories by the beach fire on Saturday evening Family storytelling on Friday and Saturday evening interpretive programs will be offered by Daniel Boone National Forest personnel. For more information visit http://caverunstoryfest.org/

:: Saturday, September 30 ::
National Public Lands Day. The nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands American’s enjoy. A list of Kentucky events is online @ http://www.publiclandsday.org/involved/kentucky.cfm


:::::::::::::::::: RECIPE :::::::::::::::::::::::::

Curried Couscous Pilaf with Apples and Swiss Chard

1/2 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 apple, diced
1 1/2 Tbsp curry powder
1 cup chopped Swiss chard
1 carrot, cut in matchsticks
1/4 cup small tart blueberries (cranberries could be subs.)
1 c dried couscous prepped as per pkg instruct
1/4 c dry white wine
1/4 c cashews, toasted (pecans could be subs.)

Prep couscous. Saute onion and garlic on med heat. Add apples. Add curry powder. Add chard. Add wine. Add carrots and berries. Add couscous. Bring to temp. Stir in nuts.
- VO


:::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS ::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::: Wednesday, September 27 through Wednesday, October 11 ::::::

:: Saturday, September 30 ::
THE INFECTED w/THE YELLOW BELTS and HEARTTHROB @ The Dame
9pm, all ages, $5

There’s something to be said for reliving your youth. At 24, I’m hardly what many past their early adolescence would refer to as old, but in “punk rock” years, 24 is just past prime. But, the truly beautiful thing about punk rock is that once it’s in you, part of you stays young forever. Regardless of how old and jaded you may get, that small thread in your heart can still get tugged by the right song; or in this case, the right band.

Along with Lextown’s bastard sons, the Redheaded Stepchildren, the Infected is what weaned me into punk rock. In fact, my first local music purchase was Eugene Records release #1, The Infected / RHSC split 7”. It astounded me that there were not only punk rock bands in Lexington (I was 14 and living in Georgetown at the time…so close, yet so far away, as they say), but they were putting out material…on vinyl no less! Come to think of it, that was the first piece of vinyl I ever bought!

My first show in Lexington was a few years later, at the now defunct Rockhaven. I went with some friends on a whim just to check out an all ages show. As I walked in, I looked on stage, only to recognize the guys from the 7”. “Holy shit!” I believe was my reaction. “That’s the Infected!” To this day, my girlfriend pokes fun at me for being a tad star-struck by people that she knew then, and I now count among my friends. But at the time, it was a big deal to me. Coming from a small town, and generally being a bit ostracized for my tastes (I know, I know…typical punk rock story), it was amazing to see that the stuff I read about in books and magazines really did, and still does, happen. Moreover, a band that only existed to me on a rarely-updated website and in the handful of releases I managed to pick up when I got the chance to go to Lexington, was right in front of me. I never thought I’d get to be part of that, and there I was. That show was incredibly important to me. Seven years later, I get to relive it. The setting may be different. The friends I’m there with may be different. But the feeling is the same.

I don’t mean to gush on about one band on a three-band bill. The Yellow Belts and Heartthrob are two of Lextown’s finest (not to mention both being made up of members of some of the other finest bands to ever grace our little town), but I don’t think either band minds. In fact, I’m quite sure they understand and agree; and in at least a few cases, would say almost the exact same thing if in my place.

They say that after 21, there’s nothing to really get excited about any more. Lucky for me, on the 30th, I get to look forward to being 17 again, if only for a couple hours.
~ Michael Lunsford


:: Saturday, October 7 ::
THE SCOURGE OF THE SEA w/GUNSHY and ANDREW BRYANT @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St. – just off W. Maxwell – 9pm, all ages, $5

The triumphant return of our newly-minted indie pop stars. Scourge has been out for the better part of the last two months supporting their new record “Make Me Armored” (on Alias Records). Reviews have been great. (They were recently voted ‘Band of the Week” or something like that at PasteMagazine.com.) Come welcome the hard workin’ mens home. http://myspace.com/thescourgeofthesea, http://myspace.com/thegunshy, http://myspace.com/andrewbryant.
[Full disclosure: I helped organize this show.]


:: Monday, October 9 ::
AWESOME COLOR w/TALL FIRS and WARMER MILKS @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5

Rest assured there will be good times in damaged rock when Ecstatic Peace recording groups Awesome Color and Tall Firs join Warmer Milks @ the Dame for one of the more "rad!!..." nights in Lexington music. Awesome Color play Hendrix meets The Band meets Sonic Youth style squax rock. Classic rock roots, mad good guitar solos, and jams that go well with beer. Tall Firs bring the rock in a decidedly more "lo-fi roots" variety. They still jam, and... yes... they still compliment beer drinking... maybe microbrew consumption. As for the Warmer Milks? That's always up in the air isn't it? Could be disjointed guitar chords and feedback, could be driving kraut influenced peyote jamz, could be harmony laden acid folk... they keep you guessing, and don't often disappoint. It's gonna be good. Come out and rock it rock it. – Chris Bush


:: Tuesday, October 10 ::
ISWHAT?! w/SELF SCIENTIFIC @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5

what is
ISWHAT?!
hip hop and high horns
heartbeats and high five slaps
jazz and jizzmatic improvisations
lips flipping to beatbox drums
and poetic exhalations
it's like little kids with nothing
but turntables to launch
musical missiles of rebellion,
bass lines slapped for the sake
of experiencing ecstasy
like amiri baraka and rakim
last poets on lost street corners
proclaiming that the word
is near
--eric sutherland

http://www.iswhat.net


:: Tuesday, October 10 ::
NOISE NOMADS w/ARA and THREE-LEGGED RACE @ The Frowny Bear, 208 Forest Park
9pm, all ages, donations requested for touring bands

Noise Nomads (despite the plural) is the solo project of Jeff Hartford from western Massachusetts/Providence. The first time I saw him live was in Mike Connelly's apartment in Lexington about 4 years ago. What I witnessed was a rag doll wooly mammoth/hobo creature making a harrowing migration from the bedroom to the bathroom over the course of twenty minutes occasionally moaning/grunting through a practice amp hung around its neck. When the beast finally made it to the bathroom he unleashed a blast of chaotic feedback and drone from an air organ that was a triumphant end to the journey, to say the least. Shows I've seen since then have involved more "traditional" forms of music but have remained just as primal and entertaining. - Robert Beatty


:: Also worthwhile in the September 27 – October 11 timeframe ::
Every Friday RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Nema’s Grille (Frankfort) – meccadance.com
Every Sunday THE BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE @ The Fishtank, corner of Euclid and Woodland – 9pm, no cover
Tues/Oct 3 BETTYE LAVETTE @ Headliners (Louisville)
Thurs/Oct 5 CURSIVE w/THE THERMALS and DETACHMENT KIT @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Fri/Oct 6 RODNEY CROWELL w/WILL KIMBROUGH @ The Dame
Sun/Oct 8 CADAVER IN DRAG @ The Frowny Bear, 208 Forest Park – all ages, 9pm

:: Soon Soon ::
Sat/Oct 14 THE WRENS w/SWEARING AT MOTORISTS @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Thurs/Oct 19 WOLF EYES w/EYES AND ARMS OF SMOKE and WARMER MILKS @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL
Thurs/Oct 19 ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Fri/Oct 20 WOLF EYES w/BURNING STAR CORE and JOHN WIESE @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Sat/Oct 21 SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS @ The Dame
Mon/Oct 23 THE EAST VILLAGE OPERA COMPANY @ Singletary Center for the Arts
Tues/Oct 24 PETE BEST BAND @ The Dame
Tues/Oct 24 XIU XIU @ Southgate House ballroom (Newport, KY)
Tues/Oct 24 ONE SELF (DJ Vadim w/Yarah Bravo and Blu Rum 13) @ Southgate House parlour (Newport, KY)
Tues/Oct 24 NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS @ Singletary Center for the Arts
Sun/Oct 29 BISHOP ALLEN @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, sponsored by WRFL
Thurs/Nov 2 THE ENGINES (Dave Rempis/Nate McBride/Tim Daisy) @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, part of the Outside the Spotlight series, sponsored by WRFL
Thurs/Nov 9 THE FESTIVAL QUARTET (Tim Daisy/Keefe Jackson/Josh Berman/Anton Hatwich) w/THE LAY ALL OVER ITS (Jason Ajemian/Nori Tanaka) @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, part of the Outside the Spotlight series, sponsored by WRFL
Thurs/Nov 9 BOBBY PREVITE’S COALITION OF THE WILLING (featuring Charlie Hunter, Robert Walters, and Sherik) @ The Dame
Sun/Nov 12 potluck/show - ILL EASE w/JASON ZAVALA, JOE MEREDITH, and more @ The Icehouse – all ages
Mon/Nov 13 THE ELECTRICS (Axel Dörner/Sture Ericson/Ingebrigt Håker Flaten/Raymond Strid) @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages, part of the Outside the Spotlight series, sponsored by WRFL

:: Pertinent Resources ::

__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexington - http://www.dameky.com
THE ICEHOUSE, 412 Cross St (off W.Maxwell), Lexington
MECCA dance studio/gallery, 451 Chair Avenue, off S.Broadway near Bolivar - http://www.meccadance.com
CHARLES MANSION (a venue no longer, but the website’s a good spot to find out about shows) – http://www.charlesmansion.org
FROWNY BEAR, 208 Forest Park
THIRD STREET STUFF COFFEE, corner of Limestone and 3rd Street – ph. 859/255-5301
FIREBIRD STUDIO, 359 W. Short St – http://firebirdlexington.com
THE FISHTANK, corner of Woodland and Euclid Ave - http://www.thefishtankbar.com
NATASHA'S CAFE, 112 Esplanade - http://www.beetnik.com/
FAUNTLEROY’S CAFÉ, 640 W. Maxwell – ph. 859/455-8188
DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER, 141 E. Main St, Lexington – http://www.lexarts.org
ARTSPLACE, 161 N.Mill St, Lexington
SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS, corner of Euclid and Rose Sts – http://www.uky.edu/SCFA/
LEXINGTONSHOWS.com (all ages show listings) - http://www.lexingtonshows.com
COUNTER FICTION (metal/punk/hardcore all ages show listings) – http://www.counterfiction.com
CRICKET PRESS (amazing local poster art) - http://www.cricket-press.com
WRFL 88.1FM (UK's student-run radio station) - http://wrfl881.org
YOU AIN’T NO PICASSO (great locally-produced music blog) – http://www.youaintnopicasoo.com

__Louisville__
LAVA (Louisville Assembly of Vanguard Artists) HOUSE - 927 Shelby Parkway, Louisville - http://www.lavahouse.org
HEADLINERS MUSIC HALL, Louisville - 1386 Lexington Road, ph. 502/584-8088 - www.headlinerslouisville.com
UNCLE PLEASANTS, 2126 S. Preston, Louisville - p.502/634-4147
THE RUDYARD KIPLING, 422 West Oak Street, Louisville - http://www.therudyardkipling.com/pages/206999/index.htm
OLD LOUISVILLE COFFEHOUSE, 1489 S. Fourth St, Louisville - ph. 502/635-6660
PRODUCTION SIMPLE (produce many of the events at Headliners and Uncle Pleasants) – http://www.productionsimple.com

__Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky__
THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE, Newport, KY - http://www.southgatehouse.com
ALCHEMIZE, 1122 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.alchemizebar.com
THE COMET, 4579 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.cometbar.com
BOGART'S, 2621 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.bogarts.com
THE MOCKBEE (formerly SS NOVA), 2260 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.ssnova.org
NORTHSIDE TAVERN, 4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.northside-tavern.com

Know of an upcoming event that others should get hip to? Let us know - email informationactivists@yahoo.com
All Picks by Ross Compton unless otherwise noted.


:::::::::::::: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUBMISSIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
email thelexingtonproject@yahoo.com