Wednesday, November 28, 2007

 

TLP November 28, 2007

Join the labor rally today in Thoroughbred Park. Go see Shane Ward’s BFA exhibit at the Icehouse this Friday. Don’t miss the Sublime Frequencies Film Tour next Wednesday. Get ready for the return of Michael Hurley, December 8th at the Icehouse.

Thanks to Beth Connors Manke for the Commentary piece. Thanks to Brian Manley for the Good Folks Fest preview.

Hope all are well.
Luv, Ross

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

** Wed/November 28 - Labor Rally – 12:15pm at Thoroughbred Park
From our friend Keith Hautala -
The Lexington Newspaper Guild, CWA Local 33229, the union that represents more than 80 journalists at the Lexington Herald-Leader, is kicking off an educational media campaign today to alert the public to The McClatchy Co.'s grab at employee sick leave and health benefits.

A 60-second radio advertisement will begin running on several Lexington-area radio stations today. It urges listeners to visit fairnessatHL.com, where the public can sign a community petition asking Herald-Leader management to withdraw its mean-spirited, ill-considered contract proposals with the Guild.

At 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, a Guild rally in Thoroughbred Park will feature the international president of The Newspaper Guild-Communications Workers of America, Linda K. Foley, and Lexington labor activists. The Guild is a sector of CWA. Foley is a former Herald-Leader copy editor and was the president of the Lexington local before going to work for TNG.

McClatchy, based in Sacramento, Calif., purchased the Lexington Herald-Leader from Knight Ridder in June 2006. Among its first acts was paying former Knight Ridder executives nearly $60 million.

Yet, in contact talks with the Guild, McClatchy has demanded the right to slash or eliminate health care for part-time workers and cut sick leave for all workers. These stances contradict the Herald-Leader editorial board's long-standing support for universal health care and economic justice.

The Herald-Leader's contract with its newsroom workers expired on Jan. 1, 2007, but remains in effect via an evergreen clause. The health care and sick leave issues are the two biggest obstacles remaining in negotiations.

For more information, contact Brandon Ortiz, Lexington Newspaper Guild president, at (859) 327-2100, or visit fairnessatHL.com.

** Two FREE In-Store Performances at CD Central
Our buddies at CD Central, Lexington’s great independent record store, are hosting two great in-store performances coming up over the next week and a half. First up is a set by locals Idaho, Alaska this Wednesday (uh, TODAY) at 7pm. Then, next Thursday, December 7th, the huge rock sound of Louisville’s Wax Fang invades the shop. That one also starts at 7pm. Both are FREE and all ages are welcome, so you’ve got no excuse to miss ‘em. Check the tunes at http://www.myspace.com/idahoalaska and http://www.myspace.com/waxfang.

** Sat/December 1 – Holiday Bike Parade
A heads-up/invite from our man Tim “Big Papa” Buckingham -
Bike culture is growing exponentially in Lexington. Join local riders as an entry in this years Holiday Parade on Saturday Dec. 1 at 5:30pm. The route is short extending from Midland Ave., up Main St. to the Courthouse plaza for Light up Lexington.

Decorate your bike, join the yellow bike dance troop, help pull the float, do anything you want on your bike. LFUCG's Bike Lexington Committee has donated 200 blinking red lights to pass out along the route.

Come help build or decorate your bike on the day of the parade (Dec.1) at 333 Midland Place at the intersection of Midland Ave and Winchester Rd starting at 11 a.m.

Other possible ideas include but are not limited to:
- Chinese Dragon Tandem - Procession of all xtracycles in town hauling people and gifts
- Bike polo game during parade (or simulated) - Tall bikes, short bikes, choppers, etc - Unicycles

For more information email politicalhero@gmail.com or visit www.lexrides.com

** Tues/December 4 – KFTC & Stella’s
Stella’s hosts a day supporting KFTC. On Tuesday, December 4 from 8:30am to 4pm. at Stella's Kentucky Deli, the deli's co-owners & KFTC members Les Miller and Aumaine Mott will donate $1 for every person who joins KFTC, renews their membership dues, or makes a donation.

Lunch rush is between 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Stella's is located at 143 Jefferson Street between Short St. and Second St. Call 859/276-0563 for more information.

About Stella’s - Stella's Kentucky Deli is dedicated to local farmers and to supporting local food economies. Our mission is to produce simple, high quality foods that emphasize the superior flavors and textures of fresh, local ingredients. To achieve this, we make all of our sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts by hand, in house, using whatever ingredients are seasonally available. Visit www.stellaskentuckydeli.com for menu options and more information.

** Fri/December 14 – “Bourbon, Bikes, & Hobo Barrels” @ Old Tarr Distillery
An early heads-up about the fun at Old Tarr on the 14th. Warehouse bike racing! Registration starts at 7pm. Races (in divisions including racers, cruisers, tandem, and crazy bike) start at 8pm. After-party at Al’s Bar (corner of 6th and Limestone). For more info, call 243-0000 or 502/767-6477. Expect a fuller scoop in the next Lex Pro.

** Sun/December 16 - Rollerderby "Rock-A-Bout" at Champs
From our R.O.C.K. friend Meg Marquis -

What better way to kick off your holiday season than with knee socks, rollerskates, and maybe a little blood?

Come out to watch the Rollergirls Of Central Kentucky (ROCK) take on the Rollergirls of Southern Indiana in December 16th's "Rock-A-Bout"!

This is the first bout for Lexington's very own rollerderby league, and to celebrate, admission is being offered for a one-time VERY LOW price of only $5! The doors open at Champs Skate Center (297 Ruccio Way, beside Meijer on Reynolds Road) at 7:00 pm and the bout begins at 8:00. After-party at Champs is from 10:00 pm - Midnight.

Support your local rollergirls! Friend us on MySpace at www.myspace.com/rockandrollergirls or www.rockandrollergirls.com.

What: Rock-A-Bout
When: Sunday, Dece. 16th, Doors 7:00/Bout 8:00 pm
Where: Champs Skate Center (297 Ruccio Way)
How Much: $5
Why: Because it's going to be a great time!


:::::::::::::::::::::: COMMENTARY ::::::::::::::::::::::

On Healthy Righteousness
by Beth Connors-Manke

I want to register a concern about health righteousness.

First, though, I need to admit that if I were Supreme Controlling Being of the Infinite Universe I’d make everyone do two things each day: take an hour-long walk and do an hour of yoga. Having acknowledged my own potentially fascist inclinations, I want to say that certain public discussions about the sins of obesity and smoking have come to worry me.

What used to be seen as personal choice—smoking too many Lucky Strikes, eating too many quarter-pounders—has, rightly, come to be seen as a national public health issue. I have no problem with this; seeing these as purely personal matters makes it too easy for us to shy away from doing anything about the politics and practices of the smoking and fast food industries. Saying it’s grandpa’s right to smoke a pack a day as a way of not confronting the power of the tobacco lobby doesn’t fly anymore.

However, what seems to be sustaining, in part, the public outcry over smoking and obesity is apprehension about the economic pressure they put on our health care system. This is when I start to hear warning bells. The real price tag of unhealthy lifestyles is attached to the quality of people’s lives, not to our wallets.

This is not to say, of course, that health care premiums and medical costs aren’t outrageous—they are. The S.O.S. regular people have been sending to their politicians regarding corpulent health care costs is a desperate one, and one that our representatives hopefully will register in the upcoming national elections. In no way do I mean to downplay this crisis. I’m a casualty of the health care un-affordability epidemic, and I bet you are, too. The righteousness being mustered up about the issue is important and necessary. But we need to be conscious of the possible results.

I’m worried about how our collective call for lower health care costs will stigmatize those who cost the system money—those of us who are smokers, who are overweight, or who have diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or clinical depression. We are being encouraged to be better “health care consumers”; we are told we should ask our doctor how much her services will cost and then “shop around” to see if we can get a better price elsewhere. I certainly don’t want to be a bargain shopper with my health care. Likewise, I don’t want us to start looking at smokers or people who are obese as threats to our bargain health care costs.

We already look at our neighbors’ bodies and judge their lives and lifestyles at a glance. Oh, he’s so fat, he must be too lazy to eat well and exercise. Most of us have thought this at least once while walking downtown or across campus. If we begin to see our own health insurance premiums tied to “him”—our hypothetical fat neighbor—our thoughts are likely to be even more judgmental.

So, let us be righteous about the need for improved health and health care, but let’s remember that it’s hard to have a human body. Let us be generous with each other, and remember that our bodies often outwit us. And they all eventually, inevitably break down—no matter how religious we are about taking care of them.


:::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS ::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Wednesday, November 28 – Saturday, December 8 :::::::::::

:: Thursday, November 29 ::
IDAHO, ALASKA w/THE NASTYS @ Busters, corner of Main and Upper
10pm, ages 21+, FREE – sponsored by The Void Skateshop

A chance to catch two good, (relatively) new Lexington bands for FREE. Modest Mouse-style indie rock (Idaho, Alaska) meets garage-y psych (The Nastys). Check ‘em for yourself at http://myspace.com/idahoalaska and http://myspace.com/notmodels.


:: Thursday, November 29 ::
LITTLE BROTHER w/EVIDENCE, DEVINE CARAMA, and more @ The Dame – 10pm, ages 21+, $10
:: Wednesday, December 5 ::
One Year Anniversary Party for LEXINGTONHIPHOP.COM – 10pm, ages 21+, $5

A pair of indie hip hop haps - North Carolina’s Little Brother on Thursday, a celebration of the scene-building/scene-celebrating LexingtonHipHop.com next Wednesday. http://myspace.com/littlebrother.


:: Friday, November 30 ::
Art Opening – “Line Segments” – Shane Ward’s BFA exhibit @ The Icehouse
6-9pm, all ages, FREE

Get out and peep this very promising-looking exhibit by young Lexington artist Shane Ward.


:: Saturday & Sunday , December 1 & 2 ::
Good Folks Fest @ Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave (Louisville)
9am-6pm each day, all ages, $5

From a recent email from our friend and Lex Pro contributor Brian Manley -
Two whole days of outsider art and music. A slew of old time music, one man bands, punkgrass, homemade instruments, plus real fucked up art made by strange people from all over the country. And a LOT of it. Two huge rooms crammed with folks. Todd Dock will be showing off his newest pieces, which are the best I’ve seen the boy bop out ever: dark, ugly, id-adrenaline. I've got new art for sale reflecting my views of death, heartbreak, loss, humility, depression and werewolves. We'll both be in a huge booth right next to the stage in the main room this year.

And there is music all day long. Yeah, Dec 1 features the first true Smacks! show since January '07 (not counting a secret one we snuck in during the summer...this one we actually prepared for). We'll be playing some new material that we begin recording in January. I guess this is our farewell to 07, before we head in 08 and metamorphosize into a new breed of Modernized madness we have planned for next year. Things shall remained changed forever henceforth. Be prepared.

Here's a list of Brian’s picks from the Good Folks music lineup:

1. Brownbird Rudy Relic--by far my favorite act from last year, and he's booked both days. southern traditional/original blues, a mouth that can swallow music itself...this guy is simply captivating to watch and hear. I think from NYC. http://www.myspace.com/brownbirdrudyrelic
2. Hokum County--Louisville based old time music and jug band stuff, but in yo face. http://www.myspace.com/hokumcounty
3. Ultra Pulverize--Louisville based electro-trio. One of my favorite bands from here. Sparks meets Germans. http://www.myspace.com/ultrapulverize
4. Parade Schedule--I just actually met Matt from this band last week when I was renting an amp, and it turns out he's a freak/psych folker. I'm excited to check these guys out. Large influences from Pedro the Lion, Red House Painters, Palace/Bonnie Billy. http://www.myspace.com/theparadeschedule
5. J Marinelli--Good one man band stuff. http://www.myspace.com/theparadeschedule
6. Ponty's Camper--Lousville based bluegrass outfit composed of an all-star lineup of freaks and musicians, including Scott of Monkey Boy (& organizer of GFF), artist John Haywood, Selena of Venus Trap (and formerly of Green Formica Table). They opened the fest last year, and I completely felt like I was having coffee with my grandpa...you figure it out. http://www.myspace.com/pontyscamper
7. Monkey Boy--An act I can't wait to see. Scott (of Ponty's Camper, and GFF organizer) has been Monkey Boy since I met him 10 years ago. An alter ego of homemade junkabilly noise instruments cranking out a strange homemade sound thats as harsh and wonderful as Kentucky. He's graced the stage of Yats back in the day, and played with the Smacks! in a lot of odd locations. In fact, I think for a brief moment, Todd was the drummer for Monkey Boy, like 20 years ago. I can't wait for this...http://www.myspace.com/monkeyboyky
8. A Girl Named Earl--This will be my first time seeing this, and I;m not sure if I'm supposed to reveal secret identities, but the girl named Earl is the former lead singer of LExington's Babyshit Brown, and of Lousiville's Supervillains. A punk with a dulcimer. This should be amzing. http://www.myspace.com/thatgirlnamedearl
9. The Town Criers--We played with these guys in our secret summer show--really great acoustic, bluegrass, country stuff...with a tuba. http://www.myspace.com/thetowncriers
10. Pokey LaFarge--Another player from last year. I've seen Pokey several times--he seems to move from southern blues-ish, to old time, to folk revivalist. Always puts on a great show. http://www.myspace.com/pokeylafarge
11. One Small Step--I dont know who these guys are, but they look like they're going to be fucking cool. From Louisville. http://www.myspace.com/onesmallstep
12. Scotty Karate--from Brooklyn, and same thing. I cant wait to see them. him. it. http://www.myspace.com/onesmallstep


:: Wednesday, December 5 ::
Sublime Frequencies Film Tour presents two films by Hisham Mayet @ UK’s Student Center Cat’s Den
8pm, all ages, FREE – sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM and CharlesMansion.org

CharlesMansion.org and WRFL present the Sublime Frequencies Film Tour, featuring two films by Sun City Girls confidante Hisham Mayet http://www.sublimefrequencies.com/

MUSICAL BROTHERHOODS FROM THE TRANS-SAHARAN HIGHWAY (60 Minutes) view the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIU_AQmm1OM
Hisham Mayet's latest film showcases an assortment of spectacular musical dramas presented live and unfiltered on the home turf of the world's most dynamic string/drum specialists performing and manifesting the ecstatic truth! Ancient mystical brotherhoods have been flourishing for centuries in and around the cities of Marrakesh and Essaouira in Morocco where the trade caravans have gathered from their long journeys across the Trans-Saharan Highway. This is some of the last great street music on Earth.

PALACE OF THE WINDS (45 minutes) view the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyStrt0f5cQ
An entrancing look at the culture and music of the Saharawis from the Western Sahara and Mauritania. This film explores the rich heritage of a culture that is cloaked in mystery and mired in struggle. Journey from the northern fringes of the Western Sahara to the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott. Explore the intoxicating tapestry of sight and sound that this obscure region has to offer from some of its most legendary musicians.


:: Thursday, December 6 ::
TIGHT LEATHER w/THE N.E.C. and SPEED TO ROAM @ Busters, corner of Main and Upper
10pm, ages 21+, FREE – sponsored by The Void Skateshop

You should know Tight Leather and The N.E.C. from Trevor’s preview of their Icehouse gig in the last issue (if not, you can find it at http://www.thelexingtonproject.org). Speed To Roam = “slightly fucked up garage scum” from an all-star cast of characeters including members of Bonnie Billy Band, King Kong, Health and Happiness Gospel Band and Warmer Milks. More info & sounds at http://www.myspace.com/speedtoroam.


:: Thursdsay, December 6 ::
WAX FANG w/J.RODDY WALSTON AND THE BUSINESS and HOW I BECAME THE BOMB @ The Dame
10pm, ages 21+, $5

Wax Fang = BIG rock from Louisville. Strongly recommended live. http://myspace.com/waxfang. J.Roddy = theatric piano pop. http://myspace.com/jroddy.


:: Saturday, December 8 ::
MICHAEL HURLEY w/MEARA O’REILLY and BROOKE SIENTINSONS @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St
8pm, all ages, $5 suggested donation

Descriptions from CharlesMansion.org (I promise a fuller preview in the next issue) -
Michael Hurley - http://www.snockonews.net/ - Legendary Folkways recording artist and Holy Modal Rounders collaborator. New record on Devendra Banhart's Gnomonsong label. Meara O'Reilly - http://www.myspace.com/mearabai - Sounds and visuals from members of Feathers and Espers.


:: Also worthwhile in the November 28 – December 8 timeframe ::
Wed/Nov 28 RAQ w/SEXUAL DISASTER QUARTET @ The Dame
Thurs/Nov 29 LITTLE BROTHER w/EVIDENCE, REEF THE LOST CAUZE, and DEVINE CARAMA @ The Dame
Fri/Nov 30 SHANE WARD’s BFA show @ The Icehouse – 412 Cross St (off W. Maxwell) – FREE, all ages
Fri/Nov 30 VERY EMERGENCY w/THE HIGH WATER MARKS, and MOTEL @ The Dame
Fri/Nov 30 PETER, BJORN, & JOHN @ Headliners (Louisville)
Sat/Dec 1 JOSE GONZALEZ w/CASS McCOMBS @ 930 Listening Room (Louisville) - ages 18+
Wed/Dec 5 Lexingtonhiphop.com One Year Anniversary Party with MAIN EVENT, ART OF COVENANT, and MADD MILITIA @ The Dame
Thurs/Dec 6 WAX FANG w/J. RODDY WALSTON AND THE BUSINESS and HOW I BECAME THE BOMB @ The Dame
Fri/Dec 7 MARGOT & THE NUCLEAR SO-AND-SO’S w/TURNBULL AC’s and CABIN@ The Dame
Sat/Dec 8 MICHAEL HURLEY w/MEARA O’REILLY (of Feathers), and projections by BROOKE SIENTINSONS (of Espers) @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St (off W. Maxwell) – all ages, sponsored by WRFL 88.1FM
Sat/Dec 8 UNKNOWN HINSON @ The Dame

:: Soon Soon ::
Tues/Dec 11 ARAM SHELTON (of Dragons 1976) @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St (off W. Maxwell) – all ages, part of the Outside the Spotlight jazz and improvised music series
Thurs/Dec 13 DEVINE CARAMA @ The Dame
Sun/Dec 16 Outside the Spotlight 5th Anniversary Concert featuring ENGINES w/THE FRODE GJERSTAD TRIO @ Pepper Distillery, Manchester St
Sat/Dec 22 THE APPARITIONS @ The Dame
Fri/Dec 28 BIG MARACAS @ The Dame
Sat/Dec 29 CHRIS KNIGHT w/BLIND CORN LIQUOR PICKERS @ The Dame
Mon/Dec 31 SAME AS IT EVER WAS (Talking Heads tribute) @ The Dame
Fri/Jan 4 THE QUEERS w/BACKSEAT VIRGINS @ The Dame
Sun/Jan 6 POISON CONTROL CENTER @ The Dame

:: Pertinent Resources ::

__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexington - http://www.dameky.com
THE ICEHOUSE, 412 Cross St (off W.Maxwell), Lexington - http://myspace.com/icehouselex
CHARLES MANSION (a venue no longer, but the website's a good spot to find out about shows) - http://www.charlesmansion.org
MECCA dance studio/gallery, 451 Chair Avenue, off S.Broadway near Bolivar - http://www.meccadance.com
FROWNY BEAR, 208 Forest Park
THIRD STREET STUFF COFFEE, corner of Limestone and 3rd Street - ph. 859/255-5301
THE FISHTANK, corner of Woodland and Euclid Ave - http://www.thefishtankbar.com
NATASHA'S CAFE, 112 Esplanade - http://www.beetnik.com/
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/
CRICKET PRESS (amazing local poster art) - http://www.cricket-press.com
WRFL 88.1FM (UK's student-run radio station) - http://wrfl.fm
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 POUR HAUS, 1481 S. Shelby Street (corner of Shelby and Burnett), Louisville
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, 3929 Spring Grove Ave, 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
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

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