metropolis | may 2008

MUSIC

Tim Barry, Josh Small, Red Clay River
May 16th at Martin’s Downtown
Even though influential Richmond hardcore-punk band AVAIL isn’t doing a lot these days, front man Tim Barry continues to carry the flame. His folk-based solo material is a combination of enthusiastic sing-alongs and blue collar ballads, all of which are firmly grounded in the cement that holds a successful folk song together: a good story. From tales of riding the rails to murder ballads to accounts of soldiers serving in Iraq, Barry delivers his songs with convincing attitude and energy.

Josh Small’s latest album, Tall by Josh Small —a collection filled with a melody-driven blend of folk music and 70s style rock— was one of the best releases of 2007. And don’t be misled: this isn’t a lame hipster attempt to revitalize a bygone genre. There is a rare authenticity to Small’s sound that is impossible to ignore. Lyrically, the album can be read as a sort of therapy session for Small. It’s this brutally honest, almost stream-of-consciousness approach to songwriting that gives the album its greatest strength; when he sings “If New York City’s all you need, you don’t need me” you know that he means it. It’s an earnestness that cannot be faked, only felt. As Small says, “My right hand knows something that my brain doesn’t. I just let it wiggle on its own.”

One of the best and most original local bands in town, Red Clay River, will be on the bill as well.

Loudon Wainwright III
May 17th at the Lyric Theatre
Loudon Wainwright was one of many promising young songwriters to be dubbed the “new Dylan” in the late 1960s. Four decades later, and he may well be the one who has come the closest to living up to the hype. Besides building a legendary career for himself—he’s recorded over 20 albums and has dozens of acting credits to his name—he’s also appeared on albums with some of the biggest names in the business. He’s recorded with Johnny Cash and Earl Scruggs. He’s also collaborated with two of his own children, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, who are critically acclaimed singer-songwriters in their own right. Loudon Wainwright III will be bringing his one of kind songwriting and sense of humor to the Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg on May 17th.

Jimmy Thackery
May 31st at 202 Market
202 Market will be ending the month in style with acclaimed bluesman Jimmy Thackery. Thackery is one of only a handful of modern day blues musicians who has the privilege to say that he learned firsthand from the masters of the blues. Although he is best known for the 15 years he spent with The Nighthawks, a group which he co-founded in 1972, he’s established an impressive solo career as well.

He’s spent time on stage with one of the most influential and well-known bluesmen of all time, Muddy Waters. He cites the experience as one that has become ingrained in his musical soul. “The first time on stage with Muddy, I was in such awe of him that I just kept my eyes and ears open and just picked up on everything he did,” he says. “It was the dynamics they had that became so ingrained in us. We heard it on the records and then stood on stage and saw how it worked.”

CITY’S PICKS

Roanoke College Children’s Choir
May 1, 2005, 3pm
The Roanoke College Preparatory Division Children’s Choir will present its annual spring concert for the 18th year Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. in the Shaftman Performance Hall at the Jefferson Center, Roanoke. The concert will include special musical guests, the Brass 5 and several members of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. The program will include works by Bach, Mozart and Pergolesi contrasted with selections from Gospel, Broadway and a special patriotic finale in tribute to our Armed Forces.
Tickets can be ordered through the Jefferson Center Box Office, (540) 345-2550 or online at www.jeffcenter.org.

Roanoke Civic Center Broadway in Roanoke Series
Forever Tango
Saturday, May 10, 8pm
Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre

Music, dance and dramatic vignettes. Since its first performance in 1994, the show has been seen by more than 5 million around the world.

PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

Hollins Concert Choir performance
Thursday, May 01,
Front Quad, Hollins University

The Hollins Concert Choir performs a variety of songs on Front Quad. Bring a blanket or chair and relax.

Seussical the Musical
Friday, May 2, 7pm, Saturday May 3, 7pm, Sunday, May 4, 3pm

Christiansburg High School
100 Independence Blvd
Christiansburg, VA

Dr. Seuss comes to life in the production of SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL. The Musical Theater students of Christiansburg High School will perform this musical for adults and children the first weekend of May.

Appalachian Jams
Saturday, May 3, 8pm

Whitetop Mountain Band, Mac & Jenny Traynham & Elizabeth LaPrelle
Featuring: Whitetop Mountain Band, Mac & Jenny Traynham, and Elizabeth LaPrelle

The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. Whitetop, Virginia is an area rich in the old time music tradition; this band has deep roots in mountain music. The members have done much to preserve the Whitetop region’s style of old time fiddling and banjo picking and are legendary musicians and teachers of the style.

Mac and Jenny Traynham are a husband and wife duo who specialize in the early country duet style of singing and playing old-time country and mountain music. They draw their repertoire from a wide variety of sources from the Appalachian mountains of Virginia and beyond.
Citing as their influences are well-known names from the genre such as the Original Carter Family, the Delmore Brothers and The Blue Sky Boys. On the other hand, they are at home with the old-time fiddle and banjo styles of their home area, Floyd County, in the southern Blue Ridge area of Virginia.

Elizabeth LaPrelle “Anyone can learn the old ballads. There are numerous collections in libraries and books that are available on-line. But, Elizabeth is interested in the feel, the sound, the ornamentation of these songs. She is, in my opinion, one of maybe a handful of young singers able to capture the rhythm, the intensity, the breaks and sighs that make this style of singing authentic. The only problem I have while listening to Elizabeth is that I’m always listening through tears. She reminds me so much of my older relatives - the same profound feeling for the ballad, yet with such a clear voice.”
-Sheila Kay Adams
Tickets can be ordered through the Jefferson Center Box Office, 540.345.2550 or online at www.jeffcenter.org.

Valley Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert
duPont Chapel, Hollins University

“Victory at Sea” by Richard Rodgers and “Piano Concerto #2 in G minor” by Camille Saint-Saens, along with Hollins faculty pianist Kristofer Sanchack, will be featured in the Valley Chamber Orchestra spring concert.

Golden Dragon Acrobats
Sunday, May 4, 2pm

Mind-blowing feats. Stunning theatrics. International culture.

The premier Chinese acrobatic touring company presents a show of breathtaking skill and captivating beauty featuring award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques.
Tickets can be ordered through the Jefferson Center Box Office, 540.345.2550 or online at www.jeffcenter.org.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
Verdi’s Triumphant Requiem
Monday, May 5, 8pm
Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre

Verdi’s Triumphant Requiem, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre.
540.343.6221 or www.rso.com.

Arthur LIVE!
Salem Civic Center
Tuesday, May 6, 6:30pm
Arthur the Aardvark and his friends from Elwood City explore real issues that face real kids in this all-new musical production of Arthur LIVE! at the Salem Civic Center. There will be two performances on May 6, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. & May 7, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. The LIVE! Show will be 90 minutes long including a 20-minute intermission. Tickets for Arthur LIVE! Is on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Salem Civic Center Box Office in person, and at all Ticketmaster locations including www.ticketmaster.com, 540-343-8100. Tickets prices are $19.50 for Reserved Seating and $22.50 for Premium Seating; for information on special group discounts of 15 or more call the Salem Civic Center Box Office at 540-375-3004.

The Frank Vignola Quintet
Friday, May 16, 8pm
Jefferson Center, Recital Hall
The Frank Vignola Quintet Jazz Series at the Jefferson Center, Recital Hall The quintet shatters the barriers between popular music and traditional jazz to create an exciting new sound in acoustic string music. Be prepared for a smokin’ blend of contemporary acoustic rock, gypsy jazz, bluegrass, swing and blues. www.jeffcenter.org (nightlife)

Bedford Community Orchestra Spring Concert
Bedford Community Orchestra
Saturday, May 17, 7:30pm
Bedford Middle School Auditorium

Join the Bedford Community Orchestra on Saturday, May 17th, 7:30pm at the Bedford Middle School Auditorium for their Spring Concert. Performance will include The Firebird, Danse Infernale, highlights from Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Isle of Calypso, and Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony Finale. For more info visit us at www.bedfordcommorch.org or call 540-947-0208.

The Amazingly Wonderful Variety Show
Saturday, May 17, 7:00pm
The Sun Music Hall, Floyd Va.

Featuring a collection of skits encompassing Shakespeare, Abbott and Costello, locally written skits and much, much more. At the Sun Music Hall in Floyd Va. Fri. May 9 @ 7pm, Sun. May 11 @ 5 pm and Sat. May 17 @ 7 pm.

May 21 to June 1
The Boys Next Door
The Boys Next Door is a play, written by Tom Griffin. It deals with four mentally disabled men who live in a group home. It takes place over roughly a two month period of time and consists of brief vignettes about their lives. Though the play is quite humorous in its non-mocking way of dealing with the handicapped men in real situations, the play takes a surprising turn as Barry’s one-armed father comes to visit, and Jack (their caretaker) accepts a new job. 540-774-2660 or www.showtimers.org.

Moonlight Serenade
Saturday, May 24, 7:00pm
National D-Day Memorial

See the Memorial at dusk on this special Memorial Day weekend. The Jefferson Choral Society will perform an evening concert of 1940s music from 8:00pm to 9:00pm. Performer Keith Campbell will kick off the concert at 7pm. The Memorial will remain open until 10:00pm. - National D-Day Memorial, Bedford - 540-586-3329 - www.dday.org.

Little Town Players presents Dearly Departed
Friday, May 30, 8:00pm
Elks National Home Theatre

Southern, eccentric humor at its best, the Turpin Family, definitely put the “fun” in “dysfunctional!” Deep in the backwoods of the Bible Belt, the poor Turpin family comes together to honor (?) their father at his funeral. Try as they may to be polite and leave their problems tucked away for a while, it just not to be. Directed by Karen C. Hopkins. Showdates are May 30, 31, June 6, 7, 8. Showtimes are 8:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:00pm on Sundays. - Elks National Home Theatre, 931 Ashland Avenue, Bedford - 540-586-5881 - www.littletownplayers.com.

NEW: ROCK SYMPHONY CIRCUS is May 31, 2008
Saturday, May 31st, 2008 7:30 p.m.
Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum

“Cirque goes Rock ‘n Roll”
In collaboration with Cirque de la Symphonie, this special fund raising event features the RSO with Cirque performers and Rock ‘n Roll at the Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum.
540.343.6221 or www.rso.com.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Feat T Bone Burnett
Monday, June 2, 7:30 p.m.
Civic Center Coliseum

Posted: May 1st, 2008 under Performing Arts.
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