Loversville

Mike Tighe & Cassandra Cossitt of Loversville

On my last trip to Loversville we had a great time.

Loversville is a quiet place that I can’t find on mapquest, but I keep looking.

Someone told me it is over by Lonelytown.

I look forward to my next visit.

For more photos….click here.

Raynor Scheine at the VMFA

To kick off the VMFA film series is a showing of the 1991 “Fried Green Tomatoes” with actor, Raynor Scheine.

Movies At VMFA

Starting July 2nd, the VMFA will be introducing its’ Friday Film Series. $5 for members and $7 for non-members. The films will have a brief introduction and there will be discussion after the screening:

July 2010: THE SOUTH
The films for the month are selected on the basis of the rich – and sometimes eccentric –heritage of life and culture of “the South”.

July 2, – 6PM!* Fried Green Tomatoes (1991; dir. John Avnet; PG-13)
Already a classic, Fried Green Tomatoes debuts VMFA’s film program. Making the occasion most special will be the guest appearance by veteran Hollywood character actor Raynor Scheine of Emporia. Mr. Scheine played “Sherriff Curtis Smoote” and will give fascinating comment and insight into all facets of the Georgia production as well as his stellar career of work with some of the biggest names and movies in American film. Mr. Scheine will also be answering audience questions and we will show clips of his famous films. He is the genuine article!
*NOTE: This event only will begin at 6:00PM sharp.

July 9 – O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, dir. Joel Coen; PG-13)
A Postmodern excursion into the Depression-era deep South by those inimitable New York boys, the Coen Brothers (Fargo, No Country for Old Men). Three escapees from a Mississippi prison chain gang: Everett Ulysses McGill (George Clooney), sweet and simple Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson), and the perpetually angry Pete (John Turturro) attempt to return home. Still in shackles, they make a hasty run for their lives and end up on an incredible journey filled with challenging experiences and colorful characters in this modern-day spin on Homer’s The Odyssey plus throw in Wizard of Oz, Bonnie and Clyde, Sullivan’s Travels to mention only a few. NOTE: See next week’s movie that inspired the Coens for the title and concepts.

July 16 – Sullivan’s Travels (1941; 90 min; dir. Preston Sturges) Starring Joel McCrea
and Veronica Lake
John L. Sullivan is a successful Hollywood movie director who wants to produce his dream project, a socially committed drama, O Brother, Where Are Thou? while his bosses prefer that he make something more light and comical “with a little sex” that will earn money: the eternal conflict of art vs. profits. Sullivan defies his studio, disguises himself as a hobo, and embarks on an epic journey to chronicle the hardships of Depression-era America and winds up on a Southern chain gang. Hop on board and ride that crazy caravan of life. 60 years later the Coen Brothers used this as major source material to sculpt their own film (see above). Join us in making the connections.

July 23 – Frank’s Place (TV series, 1987-88)
From the In-Case-You-Missed-This Dept., here is your very special chance to (re)discover one of the finest and most overlooked TV sitcoms from the late 1980s. Join us in a screening of at least three prime episodes chosen by creator/star Tim Reid and star Daphne Maxwell Reid. The Reids will appear in-person as our very special guests to comment, discuss, and answer questions about the critically acclaimed and fondly remembered series set in an affable New Orleans bar/restaurant.

July 30 – Richmond Premieres! Double Feature!
Seven Signs: Music, Myth, and the American South (2008; 54 min;
dir .and producer Colonel J.D. Wilkes)
A krunk, disarming, and edgy exploration of the disappearing true backwoods Southern culture and celebrates the eccentricities and traditions of an increasingly marginalized area. Southern Gothic at its most current. This recent documentary focuses on the music, mythology and faith that persist, despite heavy modernization, in the American South. The work also marks the directorial debut for J.D. Wilkes, the artist/musician lauded by ALARM magazine as “the closest thing there is to the Ambassador of Genuine, Traditional Southern Culture.” Wilkes also contributes to the compelling soundtrack… alongside the rawest talent The Delta and Appalachia have to offer. Hailed at a sold-out premiere in Nashville, the Raindance Film Festival in the UK, the FantastiaFest in Montreal, the Deep Blues Music/Film Fest in Wisconsin, and The Backseat Film Fest in Pennsylvania.

and

It’s Grits, (1980 and 2010; under 60 min; dir. and producer Stan Woodward)
Filmmaker Stan Woodward has created a fast-paced, mouth-watering documentary on grits, the Southern breakfast food that transcends racial, religious, and economic lines. Southerners and Northerners are asked spontaneously about grits-if they like them, if they eat them, if they even know what they are! One New Yorker identifies grits as “some kind of Italian food”—could be “polenta”?–and one Southerner shares his secret recipe for grits prepared with peanut-butter and chow-chow. This film will delight the confirmed grits eater, confound the uninitiated, and generally entertain any audience. Blue Ribbon, American Film Festival. This is the updated version with new contemporary footage added to the original classic for the film’s 30th anniversary.

Coming in August 2010: GREAT WOMEN OF THE SCREEN

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy father’s day to all of you who have, had, and didn’t have fathers, I was fortunate to have a great one.

My father (in the chair) and his brother, Frances, the day World War I ended, November 11, 1918.

Look for a new entry on my last visit to Loversville.

Onechord Plays Tom & Marty

The blog ONECHORD features the Tom & Marty Band.

ONECHORD has great links to bands, zines, and the independent music scene.

Loversville This Saturday, 8 to 10pm

At Ellwood’s Coffee Shop – Saturday, June 19th 8-10 pm (this is a time change!)

I’ll be there with my boots on!

Artifacts/yclept Joins The 21st Century

From the godfather of the Richmond underground music scene comes images and information that is now being featured on that now infamous internet place called…facebook.

There is a picture photo album of records, flexi dics, tapes, and unreleased cds that are connected by Richmond and the label Artifacts.

You do not have to have a facebook account or have to log in to see the album covers. The covers come from the Tom & Marty Band, Orthotonics, Bomis Prendin, Single Bullet Theory, Titfield Thunderbolt, F.A.F.O.O.T, Griefbirds, Karen Cooper Complex, and some unreleased Artifacts cds.

There is also a page with links to these bands and personalities as well as the WFMU blog entry on Bomis Prendin, Karen Cooper Complex and Artifacts Volume 1.

Don’t forget to go out and see live music featuring some of these same individuals! Here is a partial list:

Happy Lucky Combo

Loversville

Rattlemouth

Loversville @ Ellwood’s – June 19th

No matter what the poster says, Loversville will be playing at Ellwood’s Coffee Shop on Saturday, June 19th. It’s an early show, starting at 7pm, so there is no excuse!

Also…Hills & Heights has posted the city’s 2010 Festival of the Arts schedule at Dogwood Dell.

And in the NOBS world, there is a nice two part photo essay on rvanews/jazz with accompanying text by Lucas Fritz on the recent tour of the south by No BS Brass Band.

No BS! Brass Band embarked upon a journey of more than 1,000 miles into the heart of the south, to the land of Dixie. Stops planned in Greensboro and Asheville, North Carolina with the ultimate destination of Birmingham, Alabama, left a long stretch of road on the horizon Saturday afternoon, May 22.

Part One.
Part Two.

Happy Lucky Combo – Under The Tent!

The Happy Lucky Combo @ the Southside Farmer's Market

Everyone was sweating this Saturday morning at the Southside Farmer’s Market as the Happy Lucky Combo tried to keep everyone cool. Carter Blough was sitting in on bass!

My first visit to the market this year, bought fruit, basil, flowers, and candles. A nice little haul.

Don’t forget the HLC’s first CD, “Carnival of Sound,” is now for sale at Crossroads Coffee Shop, Once Upon A Vine, and other Southside locations! Only $5.00.

I am going to put it on now!