metropolis | june 2007

pass the tabbouleh!
Local culture buffs should know not to miss the 9th Annual Lebanese Festival going on June 1–3, at St. Elias Catholic Church on Cove Road in Roanoke. This year’s festival includes an extra day to experience Lebanese culture through dancing and dining, live music, and merriment provided by Roanoke’s vibrant Lebanese community. And there is more to the festival this year than ever before. There will be new games, foods, and dances. Try amazing Lebanese delicacies like kibbeh (a lamb-and-cracked-wheat dish, often grilled or fried); or tabbouleh (a salad made with cracked wheat, finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, onions, and olive oil)—and this year with the expanded hours you can enjoy a Lebanese lunch and dinner. New hours are June 1, 12–8 pm; June 2, 12–10 pm; and June 3, 12–8 pm. Admission is free to this big community party with moderate charges for food and games. Rain or shine—all are welcome!
http://www.lebanesefestival.info/ 540.562.0012

jazz ‘n blues in nature’s splendor
Love the feel of fresh country air tickling your cheeks; the sweet sounds of jazz and blues accompanying a platter of fresh, home cooked food and a chilly glass of Viognet? Some will swear there’s no better place to do this than in the lush, rural splendor of the Garth Newel Music Center in Warm Springs. At the Garth Newel Music Center Blues & Jazz Fest June 8–9 on the side of Warm Springs Mountain, savor two days of great blues and jazz, food, and wine in a beautiful mountain setting. Friday evening features swinging jazz in the intimate concert hall and the event continues through Saturday, with an outdoor festival on the center’s front lawn. On Friday at 7:30 pm the center welcomes the Cyrus Chestnut Trio to Herter Hall, a stalwart of the jazz scene. Pianist Cyrus Chestnut uses his gospel roots to play pure musical joy for a show not to be missed. On Saturday, bring your blankets and chairs for a day of world-class artistry, gourmet food, and friendly folks. Some featured musicians include Grammy Award winner John Hammond and the John Hammond Quartet, The Campbell Brothers, Catherine Russell, the Alexis P. Suter Band, and the Eric Lindell Band. For tickets and info, visit the site or give the center a holla’ or visit the website.
http://www.garthnewel.org/    877.558.1689

magic in the mountains
For more music and fun in a majestic, mountainous setting, the Alleghany Highlands has announced Magic in the Mountains: A Festival of the Alleghenies, an area-wide event to be held June 15–23. This second annual event starts in Clifton Forge, Virginia, on June 15–17; continues throughout the week at Douthat State Park; and finally culminates in Covington, Virginia on June 23. Special events are also held at Falling Spring and Humpback Bridge, both located in Alleghany County. Clifton Forge kicks off the celebration on Friday evening with live rock music at the historic Masonic Theatre. On Saturday and Sunday activities on Ridgeway Street showcase arts and crafts, antiques, children’s activities, delicious food, a pie contest, a beard/moustache contest (yeah, you read right), and a quilt show at the Clifton Forge Library. Throughout the day, there’s street entertainment offering a variety of live music choices, including bluegrass, old school rock ‘n roll, and more—plus a wide selection of dance performances. In the afternoon, Barry Wayne and His Band from Nashville perform at the Masonic Theatre. Then in the evening, enjoy Danny Potter and The Carolina Pickers with special guest singer/songwriter Matthew Gillian. For an unforgettable overnight stay, consider bunking at the Clifton Forge Jail, which has been transformed into a unique Bed and Breakfast with dinner, breakfast, and a souvenir t-shirt included. Over at Douthat State Park, one of Virginia’s original state parks, there are a slew of nature-related activities and family-friendly entertainment such as crafts, guided hikes, canoe tours, and more. Visit Humpback Bridge (the only surviving trussed arch in the world and a National Historic Landmark) June 18, 20, or 21 from 11 am–2 pm, when a brief history of the bridge is presented and light refreshments will be served. There are also presentations at the Falling Spring Falls June 19 and 20 from 5–7 pm. The week-long celebration culminates at the Jackson Recreation Sport Complex in Covington on Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23. On Friday night, the festivities begin with the musical group, Southbound, and the Mountain Marionettes. Throughout Saturday, savor wine tasting, a beer garden, arts and crafts, food vendors, a variety of live entertainment, and a children’s area. Magic in the Mountains is sure to offer something for everyone—see the website for the full line-up.
http://www.magicinthemountains.com/ 540.862.2000

woo-hoo bonnaroo!
Summer isn’t summer without at least one road trip to catch a major show. The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival June 14–17 is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival held on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee every June. Bonnaroo brings together some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles such as jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica, and just about any contemporary music genre you can think of. This year, feast your ears on the likes of The Police, Tool, Widespread Panic, The White Stripes, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Wilco, The Flaming Lips, Manu Chao Radio Bemba Sound System, The String Cheese Incident, Franz Ferdinand, Ornette Coleman, Bob Weir & Ratdog, Damien Rice, Ween, Gov’t Mule, Ziggy Marley, The Decemberists, The Roots, Kings of Leon, Michael Franti and Spearhead, DJ Shadow, Gillian Welch, Sasha & John Digweed—and just a few dozen others. In addition to tons of epic performances, the festival’s 100-acre entertainment village buzzes around the clock with attractions and activities, including a classic arcade, on-site cinema, silent disco, comedy club, theater performances, a beer festival, and a music technology village. For its peaceful vibe, near-flawless logistics, and unrivaled entertainment options, Rolling Stone Magazine named this revolutionary entertainment experience one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll. This summer take your rock-n-roll road trip to Tennessee and be a part of that history.
http://www.bonnaroo.com/

50 years in the fast lane
If you haven’t yet checked out the VIRginia International Raceway or VIR in Alton, VA, think sexy sophistication at 200 miles per hour. The VIR hosts amateur and professional automobile and motorcycle events, driving schools, club days, and private test rentals; the adjoining VIR Motorsport Country Club is a high performance driving venue that also offers extensive resort facilities. This year, the VIR celebrates 50 years of life in the fast lane with a weekend-long anniversary celebration June 8-10. It includes a slue of pulse-quickening races, parties, and special events, plus the appearance of some very special guests and cars. Among these guests is Carroll Shelby, who won the VIR’s 1957 inaugural race in John Edgar’s Maserati 450S, and who will serve as Grand Marshal for the weekend’s races. The legendary motorsports journalist Chris Economaki, who served as announcer for that historic race, will also be on-hand. Be there for the welcome party on Thursday with food and live music; then there’s the black and white party on Friday for drivers, crew, and guests at VIR’s antebellum Plantation Clubhouse. Check out the public debut of a specially commissioned painting by Mike Mate illustrating the most significant cars and drivers in VIR’s history; you can join the artist and many of the depicted drivers for a signing party, too. Last—but certainly not in last place—experience a weekend full of old-fashioned vintage racing the way it was meant to be. For tix, a full line-up, and more info, visit the VIR website or call the number below. Tickets for the action-packed weekend start at just $30. ~EP
http://www.virclub.com/ 434.822.7700

weekends on the market
Music on the Market, featuring local bands from 11 am–2 pm on Downtown Roanoke’s market square, recently expanded to include Sundays, too. Enjoy a full weekend of local music and shopping; this summer Downtown Roanoke, Inc. has booked some of the best regional, acoustic acts for your listening pleasure. Best of all, all events are free! Look for performances by the likes of Blue Mule, Curly Ennis, Poison Bottom, Jason Ring, Tom Ohmsen, Black Twigs, Robbie Wells, and many others. The Downtown Roanoke Inc. website has the entire line-up. We’ll see you there.
http://www.dowtownroanoke.org/

wine down the music trail
Sumptuous wine, eclectic art, and sweet, live music ringing from the lush mountain scenery of friendly Floyd, VA—one of City’s favorite summer events is back, July 7-8. At Wine Down the Music Trail, frolic through 80 spectacular acres, sauntering from kiosk to kiosk, sampling the wares of the Southeast’s finest wineries.  Relax with a gourmet lunch (bring your own or choose from the delicious food stalls); play a game of bocce with friends; or explore the Artist’s Village and its hundreds of handcrafted items.  Oh—did we mention the music? This year, feast your ears on headliner Gaelic Storm, an innovative Celtic band blending the traditional with the fresh and unexpected. The high-energy string quartet, No Strings Attached, will also perform—these guys jam on anything, from guitars to dulcimers to bouzouki to yes, even Slinkys. (Not without ground, The Washington Post describes them as “one of the more adventurous string ensembles today”). You’ll also enjoy William Walter and Company, Kill Basa Bill’s Road Show, Beggar’s Circus, and the one-and-only Scott Perry. To get the most out of the event (and to avoid the drive home), check out the on-site camping options, or nearby lodging. Last year, the City team spent a memorable afternoon at Wine Down the Music Trail; now that we’ve had a taste, we’re going for the whole bottle, so to speak. Tickets are $19 for one-day and $31 for both. Lower prices are available for non-drinkers/designated drivers. ~EP
http://www.winedownthetrail.com/ 540.745.FEST

Hostile Aliens, Hollywood and Today’s News
Kudos to the enigmatic Melvin Matthews, Jr., a lifetime Roanoke resident and fulltime custodian at the Roanoke Civic Center, who recently published his book Hostile Aliens, Hollywood and Today’s News  with Algora Publishers. Matthews’ nonfiction tome is 1950s Cold War-era monsters meet 21st-century terrorists: the author draws parallels between the Cold War fears of the 1950s and 60s and the constant “terrorism alerts” of the September 11th era, exploring how the psychological climate of both times influence and are reflected in the sci-fi/horror genre. Analyzing films such as The Thing, The War of the Worlds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Them, and Godzilla, Matthews shows how themes of these films mirror important social concerns both past and present. What parallels does Matthews see? “In The Thing (1951),” Matthews says, “the scientist in the film, Dr. Carrington, refuses to recognize that the alien invader is hostile to mankind. He wants to communicate with it and is putting scientific concerns above national security concerns. He’d be [seen as] an appeaser today.” In Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), the “film presented aliens that used mind control to take over a small town and today you can say that Islamic terrorist extremists brainwash [others]
 to use terrorism against us,” he says, adding, “the aliens, within the context of today, would be seen as terrorists themselves—they’re out to replace our system with theirs.” What lessons can be drawn from the movies, and from Matthews’ book? “No matter what the era may be,” Matthews says, “many things in popular culture remain the same. Some of these films are so abstract that they can be remade at another time and can apply to a different era—like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Godzilla.” At 52, Matthews, a graduate of Lucy Addison Senior High School and Mary Baldwin College, has been writing and researching this book for two years, all the while holding down his full-time Civic Center job. An intriguing read indeed, the book will tantalize not only fans of the science fiction genre but also sociologists, film historians, politicians, and pop culture buffs. It’s currently available online at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. ~This piece was contributed by Eleanor Levine.

art emerging between the stacks
There’s no lack of talent in the world, but recognition is in short supply, and this is especially true in the realm of art. So the forward-thinking folks at the Roanoke City Library Main Branch are doing their part to give new and gifted artists a voice with their Emerging Artist Exhibitions. The program features a different artist (or group of artists) each month, for a month-long presentation of their work; an opening reception takes place the first Thursday of each month, coinciding with Roanoke’s favorite art event, Art By Night. River Laker, development coordinator with Roanoke Public Libraries, sees the program as complimentary to Roanoke’s ongoing 125th Celebration. “We not only desire to celebrate Roanoke’s past but also prepare for Roanoke’s future,” he says. “We hope that by offering [artists] an exhibition venue, promoting the event, and having Roanokers see their work first hand, they can increase their professional opportunities in the region.” A noble goal, indeed. The first exhibition takes place from June 7-June 30, and features the richly-hued, enigmatic paintings of Brian Sal Corral. Join the artist on June 7 from 5 to 9 pm for a meet-and-greet, tasty refreshments, and live music by Cloaca Cadabra. It all takes place at the Main Library, Roanoke, 706 South Jefferson Street. ~EP
http://www.roanokeva.gov/ 540.853.1057

award-winning festival all summer long
Itching to hit the road again? Consider a drive to the beautiful central Piedmont region of North Carolina this summer for one of the country’s top summer music festivals—the Eastern Music Festival. This nationally recognized festival produces more than 100 events between June 23 and July 28—everything from Grammy-winning classical soloists with symphony orchestras (three resident orchestras to choose from), to one of America’s most innovative and eclectic schedules of alternative programming, the EMFfringe. Principal conductor Gerard Schwarz heads a distinguished list of participating artists scheduled for 2007, including Sir James Galway, Hilary Hahn, Sarah Chang, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Feltsman, Julia Fischer, Anonymous 4, Barry Douglas, and many others. The Eastern Music Festival and School is one of this country’s foremost training programs for aspiring young musicians between the ages of 14 and 20, presented within the nationally known summer music festival. The summer series is a great way to experience these fine musicians and this extraordinary musical tradition.
http://www.easternmusicfestival.org/

 

Photography credits top to bottom: 

Photos courtesy of Garth Newel Music Center.
Photo courtesy of Douthat State Park.
Photos of Bonnaroo performers top to bottom: Wilco by Michael Segal, Gillian Welch by Glen Rose, and White Stripes by Autumn de Wilde.
Photo of market by Hope Hollingsworth.
Paintings by emerging artists top to bottom: Fire Flow (32”x18” 2007), Full Spectrum One (3’x5’ 2006), Magic (22”x38” 2007), Mija (40”x56” 2006), courtesy of Roanoke Libraries.

Posted: June 1st, 2007 under Performing Arts.
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~Nicci Ray is a freelance writer whose interests lie in arts, entertainment, fiction and fine cuisine. A Roanoke resident by birth, she has worked with such publications as The Roanoke Times & World News, Artbeat Magazine, Radford News Journal, Christiansburg Messenger, NRV News, and In the Loop Magazine of The Tampa Tribune. She holds a degree in Print Journalism from Radford University. Nicci can be contacted in care of City Magazine at 540.345.6300 or contact@citymagazineonline.com.