metropolis | april 2008

Music
My Radio with The Old Ceremony
Friday, April 11th at the Jefferson Center
My Radio has quickly established themselves as one of the most talented and rock-solid bands in town. Their infectiously catchy brand of melodic pop-rock ‘n roll is stamped with the kind of charisma that could take these guys to the next level. Songs such as “Turn Up the Radio” and “Another World” are hard to come by in today’s watered down pop rock scene—a rare blend of brains and brawn. These tunes have enough creativity and style to make the hipsters take notice, but they’ve also got the colossal hooks and melodies that the masses (and major label execs) yearn for. These guys don’t play out too often, so be sure to check them out when you get the chance.
The Old Ceremony draws their water from a deep well of music ranging from the Beatles to Beck, Leadbelly to Led Zeppelin. And no question, the results work. The band’s unorthodox instrumentation combines with superb songwriting to create a one-of-a-kind interpretation of rock ‘n roll.
After two highly acclaimed albums and three years of touring, the Chapel Hill, NC band has built a large and loyal following. TOC has performed with CAKE, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Chuck Berry, Polyphonic Spree, Mountain Goats, and Avett Brothers, and was included in PASTE Magazine’s “Top 100 Albums of 2006.” These guys may very well be the best out of town band coming to Roanoke this month. Fork up the twelve dollar ticket price and meet me there.
www.myspace.com/myradioband
www.myspace.com/theoldceremony

The Seed
Friday, April 18th at Awful Arthur’s Downtown
These days, the positive vibes of the reggae/rock locals in the Seed seem to be stronger than ever. And why not? The band is not only celebrating the release of a new album, but they’re also in the midst of a two-year reign as the “Best Band in Roanoke” as voted by both the Times and City Magazine. Their coveted status as perennial crowd pleasers doesn’t appear to be in any sort of jeopardy, either —the songs on the new album sound slicker, smoother, and more soulful than anything else they’ve done to date. The band seems to be forging more and more of an individual musical identity, while at the same time not forgetting to pay homage to their influences.
They’ll be playing their new songs around town all month, so if you can’t make it out to Awful’s on the 18th, be sure to check out the band’s website for details on other shows, as well as information on how to pick up the new album.
www.myspace.com/theseedsound

Sam Kininger Band
Friday, April 25th at 202 Market
A saxophone legend, Berklee alum, and all-around funk genius, Sam Kininger is building his fan-base and repertoire simultaneously at clubs across the country. Kininger has been in legendary funk/soul groups since the beginning, including, but not limited to Lettuce, Soulive and the Brotherhood of Groove. He has also performed with larger pop acts, including Dave Matthews and Wyclef Jean.
As a solo artist Sam Kininger has developed a distinctive, organic sound on the saxophone that is strongly expressive. He consistently demonstrates his technical dexterity and rhythmic precision while maintaining an honest and innovative exploration of musical improvisation.
His debut album includes completely original instrumental funk/jazz compositions. The grooves are intense and the solos are aggressively rhythmic and deeply soulful. Loaded with guest musicians, Sam Kininger’s album features some of the most talented musicians on the scene, including Eric Krasno (guitar) and Neal Evans (organ) from Soulive, the legendary Fred Wesley (trombone) from George Clinton’s Parliament and James Brown’s JB’s, as well as Adam Deitch (drums), a member of guitar legend John Scofield’s band.

Performing Arts
The Stinky Cheese Man (and Other Fairly Stoopid Tales)
Tuesday, April 1, 7:30 p.m.
Mill Mountain Theater
THE STINKY CHEESE MAN (AND OTHER FAIRLY STOOPID TALES) by Kent Stephens Adapted from the book by Jon Scieszka Music by Gary Rue Trinkle Main Stage April 1 – 6, 2008 Run, run, run as fast as you can, ‘cause you’ve gotta catch the Stinky Cheese Man! Recipe: Take one Jack the Narrator and mix with two paranoid chickens. Fold in an ugly duckling, a giant, and a grade-A clever fox. Add a cup of frog slime, layer with a red hood, and sprinkle with magic beans. Top it off with cheese, bacon and olives and half-bake yourself one funky fairy tale soufflĂ©! This hilarious musical adaptation of the Caldecott Honor book by Jon Scieszka stirs up a weird and wonderfully delectable dish for the whole family. One whiff and you’ll never be the same. Bon Appetit!
540. 342.5740 or www.millmountain.org

Stomp
Broadway in Roanoke
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre
STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments—matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters & hubcaps—to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.
540.853.2241 or www.roanokeciviccenter.com

Ties
Southwest Virginia Ballet
Saturday, April 5. 7:00 p.m., Sunday April 6, 3:00 p.m.
A collage of film, music, and dance, audiences will be delighted as dancers ride the rails of railroad history with a vision of the past, present, and future in this highly expressive ballet. Southwest Virginia Ballet is very proud to participate in an unprecedented collaboration with local museums and artists in their production of TIES.

“To me, Ties as a title, is about people, incredible connections to others and to the land that holds them. Many have uprooted or been uprooted, leaving a country, a region or a family
pushed by their selves or pushed by circumstances to reach and go beyond their comfort zone. As a result of WWII, my family emigrated from Hungary to Venezuela where I was born. I loved both my countries; however, when wing-spreading time came for this young man, I went to New York City, and then Richmond, Virginia and finally here to Roanoke where my dreams have led me.
So when I started searching for a new project for the Southwest Virginia Ballet, I was intrigued by the rail history of this region and its influence on emigration to Roanoke. As the idea developed, I decided to leave the chronological telling to the museums. Instead I am focusing on the relationships of people. The dreamers, laborers, and witnesses who chose to stay in or come to the Big Lick, the Magic City, the Star City, and the Roanoke Valley. Our costume changes will flit through history like the children, parents and grandparents of O. Winston Link’s photographs. Relationships will develop and dissolve throughout the choreography like the spirits that rise, suffuse and integrate into the earth that is this Valley. Their spirits grew out of great dreams, cold steely labor, disappointments and victories. Watch the images of the train with its trails of steam and imagine it to be the spirit of the tough gritted people who brought the clanging steel cars to our days and nights.” Pedro Szalay, Artistic Director SWVA Ballet

As with these people, it takes collaboration and we are happy to have fostered that in this production. Thank you to O. Winston Link for the captured images of a past era and the museum that houses them here in Roanoke. We also thank the Virginia Museum of Transportation for sharing ideas and history. David Austin’s original score made for O. Winston Link Museum expresses the spirit of a past and contemporary era. For the promotional image used on posters and such, we thank Nancy Stark of Signature 9 Gallery. She consistently captures the images of today’s railcars that harkens a history on their own rusty skins. Please visit and support these museums and artists as they have supported Southwest Virginia Ballet.

Picnic at the Pops! Art Garfunkel
Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
Friday, April 11, 8 p.m.
Salem Civic Center
Picnic at the Pops The Pops Series is sponsored by A Friend of the RSO. Art Garfunkel, Bridge Over Troubled Water. 540.343.6221 or www.rso.com.

Fidelio
Opera Roanoke
Jefferson Center
Friday, April 18, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
Welcome to Roanoke’s premiere performance of Beethoven’s only opera. With a headline cast and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Fidelio promises to be one of the finest musical productions Roanoke has ever seen. Beethoven’s thrilling music illumines the story of a woman who risks her life to rescue her imprisoned husband. As timely as today’s headlines, the tale is a wonderful showpiece for Beethoven’s heroic writing. For those who love the master’s instrumental music, the opera will demonstrate his skill at creating songs that evoke both the power and the tenderness of the human spirit.
Cast:
Florestan: Gary Lehman
Leonore: Susan Foster
Pizzaro: William Andrew Stuckey
Rocco: Jeffrey Tucker
Conductor: Steven White
540.343.2624 or www.jeffcenter.org

Posted: April 15th, 2008 under Performing Arts.

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