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HOT SEVEN
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| Best Bets of the Week |
12 07 04 |
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Hair Net
After so many years of toiling away in the gutters and trailer parks in and around Baltimore, John Waters finally earned the royal pop-cultural knighting that can only come from Broadway. Yup, HAIRSPRAY -- still going strong as it celebrates its 1,000th performance -- last year earned a whopping 12 Tony Award nominations and, perhaps even more impressively, won eight including Best Musical. For years Waters had been known as the kitschy king of trash, but his 1988 homage to those crazy, hazy days of early-1960s integration in his beloved hometown (as well as the R&B hits of the day) was a landmark. Not nearly as campy as his debut, Pink Flamingos, Hairspray also will probably be known for being a tad edgier (and yet more polished) than Waters' subsequent output.
Regardless, Hairspray had ³musical' written all over it -- the movie's soundtrack and choreography could make even Gen-Xers teary-eyed with nostalgia. And how could Broadway not turn away from its surprisingly sincere message of acceptance, regardless of race, creed or body-fat percentage, in telling the tale of dance-show aspirant Tracy Turnblad and her worrisome mother, Enid, and Tracy's surprise ascension through the high school caste system thanks to her tolerance and exuberance both on and off the floor. The role of Enid earned the late, great Divine (aka Harris Glen Milstead) the acting acclaim that had always eluded him, and proved itself even more prized as Harvey Fierstein turned it into a Tony Award. The story itself proves that, with the right combination of charm and zeal, we can all be members of the Corny Collins Show's student council.
Hairspray marks the second offering of this year's Broadway in New Orleans series, and plays this week at the Saenger Theatre (143 N. Rampart St., 524-2490/522-5555; www.saengertheatre.com). Academy Award-nominated Marc Shaiman provided the original score and co-wrote the lyrics with Scott Wittman (with book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan). Jack O'Brien directed, while Jerry Mitchell provided the choreography. Tickets range from $27.25 to $63.25. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Thursday and Saturday-Sunday. -- David Lee Simmons
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- Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7
- Prytania Theatre, 5339 Prytania St., 523-3818/891-2787
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, directed by Joe Berlinger and Brude Sinofsky, makes me kick myself for not seeing 2002's I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. Both are critically acclaimed documentaries about bands grappling with egos, power struggles and success to make a new album. And while I haven't seen Heart, I'm content for now to appreciate Monster, which indeed shows heavy metal's most successful (and perhaps best?) band spending two years struggling with James Hetfield's rehab, his clashes with drummer Lars Ulrich, the departure of bassist Jason Newsted and other issues while trying to make their its album, St. Anger. The problems were so vast that they recruited a $40,000-a-month shrink to help sort out the mess, to (mostly) positive effect. The film was never shown locally, hence this special screening courtesy of the New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF). (A two-disc DVD will be released Jan. 25.) Tickets $7.50 general admission, $6.50 NOFF members. -- Simmons
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- Great Russian Nutcracker
- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7
- Orpheum Theatre, 127 University Place, 522-5555; www.nutcracker.com
The acclaimed Moscow Ballet's mounting of the classic Nutcracker tale differs significantly from other productions in the setting of its second scene -- The Land of Peace and Harmony -- a mythical place that will hopefully resonate in the global realities of this holiday season. The theme of peace in the Great Russian Nutcracker is further augmented by the addition of a new character in the form of a dove that leads Masha and her enchanted Prince through a dreamscape. But heavy imagery is not what this performance is all about; in fact New York Times critic Anna Kisselgoff hailed this production for its whimsical and charming tone, and in particular for the strength of ballerina Tatiana Predeina in the starring role. Tickets $25-$45. -- Frank Etheridge
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- Battles
- 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7
- One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-8361
Guitars don't make a band rock. Take Battles, which is not close to rocking. This collaboration between former Don Caballero guitarist Ian Williams and noise/avant jazz artist Tyondai Braxton is all about minimalism, amelodic guitar work and texture. Over the past few months, the band debuted by releasing not an album, but three concept EPs, titled Ep C (Monitor), Tras (Cold Sweat) and B (Dim Mak), each cryptic with air-tight guitar subtlety. Do minimalism and texture rock? Hardly. Triple concept EPs? Not really, but regardless of what the guitars signify, Battles is the evolution of bands like Pink Floyd, and the goal and result remain a mind-blowing sonic release. Will throngs of young girls still throw their panties at the stage? Possibly. Call club for cover. -- Rob Bryant
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The one constant in White Bitch is singer-guitarist-drum programmer Michael Patrick Welch. He has played solo, with dancers, with guest rappers, and most recently opening for TV on the Radio with a drummer, Ratty Scurvics, experimental artist Ray Bong and rapper Lil' Gregory. No matter the lineup, Welch's songs have pop hooks and a funk that is more or less pronounced, depending on the lineup. Similarly, his falsetto singing voice is comfortable and melodic, but as songs like ³Very Serious' build, he abandons the falsetto for greater intensity in his spoken register. As the writer of The Donkey Show (Equator Books) and a column on new music for OffBeat, he shows himself to be an intelligent, adventurous thinker about contemporary music, and the same sort of thinking goes into his music. Call club for cover. -- Alex Rawls
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- Ballet Hysell's The Nutcracker
- 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 10-11; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 11-12
- Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177-A Sala Ave., Westwego, 371-3330; www.jpas.org
'Tis the season to see Tchaikoksky's classic ballet, as Ballet Hysell and others prove in serving this delightful dish of entertainment. Ballet Hysell productions have long been cited for their inventive choreography and lush costume design, a few reasons why Artistic Director Emeritus Harvey Hysell has won a slew of awards including lifetime-achievement honors from both the Big Easy's Tribute to the Classical Arts and the mayor. In this production, the dynamic brother-sister duo of Tyler and ToniAnn will perform the roles of Fritz and the Sugar Plum Fairy, respectively. Artistic Director Diane Carney directs these siblings and a cast that features John Lovett, Ron Gural, Charles Ferguson and Gerald Lester. Tickets are $25 adults, $12 students ages 17-under with ID. -- Simmons
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- Le Jour de Noel
- 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10; 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12
- St. John Lutheran Church, 3937 Canal St.; Holy Name of Mary Church, 500 Eliza St., Algiers, 865-8203
Musica da Camera continues its longstanding mission to deliver classic chorale music to local audiences with a program Le Jour de Noel, celebrating the Christmas music of the cathedrals of medieval France. With four free public performances of Le Jour de Noel across the metro area this holiday season, the works in the program span the 12th and 13th centuries and originated in famed cathedrals such as Notre Dame, Chartres, Beauvais, St. Denis, Amiens and Rheins. The group's women's vocal ensemble, Vox Feminae, will provide vocals backed by an instrumental section, with dancers accenting the pieces. Astute listeners will detect the origins of popular Christmas carols of today such as ³O Come, O Come, Emanuel.' Free admission. -- Etheridge
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- The Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls benefit
- 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10
- Hi-Ho Lounge, 2239 St. Claude Ave., 947-9344; www.hiholounge.com
Wow, does this have reality TV written all over it or what? The fine chicks at Girl Gang Productions want to make you a star, to the point that these recently dubbed 40 Under 40 honorees will stage a benefit for aspiring riot girrrls between the ages of 8 and 18 who want to attend the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, Ore. (Is this a great country or what?) Camp attendees will learn to hone their music skills, leadership and even their voices. This benefit features the punk band with the coolest name in town -- Tragic Girls End Up Like This -- as well as Baton Rouge-based singer-songwriter Amanda Byars and her band, and Dirty Rotten Shame. The benefit is part of a nationwide effort, ³50 Shows in 50 States,' to raise scholarship money for the camp. Cover is $5 for this 18-plus event. -- Simmons
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- Van Hunt
- 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10
- Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS; www.tipitinas.com
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| Hot soul newcomer Van Hunt performs Friday at Tipitina's. |
Van Hunt's self-titled debut album is one of the year's best, dealing with the complexities of love and lust in cool, classic R&B grooves modeled on later Sly and the Family Stone and early Prince. Like both artists and David Bowie -- whose influence shows up in concert, where the guitars toughen up -- there's a little pose in songs like 'Down Here in Hell (With You)' and 'Anything (to Get Your Attention),' but just because he didn't live through all the stories told in the lyrics doesn't mean they aren't emotionally accurate. Similarly, he doesn't fall into the trap of believing good words and good role models make a good song, and it takes a while to shake off the chorus of 'Dust.' Tickets $12. -- Rawls
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- Good Evening
- 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 10-11; through Dec. 18
- True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 835-6002
Hmmm, looks like we have a couple comedians in our midst, eh? That seems to be the consensus after Mason Wood and Gary Rucker shined so brightly in the critically acclaimed mounting of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, which our critic, Dalt Wonk, dubbed ³a pleasant puzzlement one is grateful for the chance to see.' Wood and Rucker have returned with an even more intriguing work, Good Evening, paying tribute to the brilliant British comedy team of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. (Both, sadly, have moved on to that great sketch-comedy stage in the sky.) The production is based on the duo's 1973 Broadway revue of the same name but also includes tons of other goodies including material from their Derek and Clive comedy albums. Tickets $10. -- Simmons
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- Jimmy Heath Quartet
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
- Loyola University, Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall, 6363 St. Charles Ave., 865-3492; www.loyno.edu
The NEA Jazz Masters on Tour series continues with saxophonist Jimmy Heath, the second of Philadelphia's Heath Brothers to be named Jazz Masters (his brother, bassist Percy, was honored in 2002). The tenor player has performed with giants like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Wynton Marsalis, and his early-60s albums established his reputation as both a distinctive, smoky tenor voice and an excellent writer and arranger, The Thumper and The Quota being two of the finest from this period. For this show, he's playing with brother Albert ³Tootie' Heath on drums, Jeb Patton on piano and Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass. He will also hold a free workshop for high school and university students at 4:30 p.m. Friday in Roussel Performance Hall. Tickets $10 general admission, $5 for students. -- Rawls
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- John Fohl, Theresa Andersson and David Doucet
- 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
- St. Louis Cathedral, 615 Pere Antoine Alley, 525-9585
These three New Orleans artists have done well for themselves since they recorded Peace Songs (Independent) in 2001. Doucet and BeauSoleil released Gitane Cajun (Vanguard) this year, Andersson has been touring the country extensively, as has Fohl on guitar with Dr. John. They return to the St. Louis Cathedral for the surprisingly adventurous Cathedral Christmas Concerts, playing many of the songs they recorded together. Their acoustic arrangements of Christmas carols are as lovely and well performed as you'd expect from this trio, and they do their part to expand the Christmas music canon. In addition to Fohl's ³A Carol a Day,' Peace Songs includes two Cajun Christmas songs and a version of ³Silent Night' sung in both English and Andersson's native Swedish. Free admission. -- Rawls
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- Ray Sharpe, Joe Clay, and Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics
- 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
- Mid City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl, 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3133; www.rockandbowl.com
This old-school rockabilly throw-down brought on by die-hard preservationists the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau promises to be yet another atomic blast from the past. Texas blues and rockabilly artist Ray Sharpe, best known for the much-covered 1950s hit ³Linda Lu,' is known for a twangy, almost country style rare in African-American rockabilly artists of his time. Joe Clay played swamp pop and rock 'n' roll at Papa Joe's on Bourbon Street for most of the '60s in an all-star band featuring, among others, Dr. John and Frankie Ford before he was rediscovered in the '80s driving a school bus in Gretna. Deke Dickerson has kept the roots-rock torch burning by playing his double-necked guitar in surf, country and R&B combos throughout the '90s and beyond. Tickets $10. -- Alison Fensterstock
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- Mermaid Gardens Flea Market & Polka Party
- Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12
- Mermaid Lounge, 1100 Constance St., 524-4747
This event provides a chance to kill two birds with one stone: say farewell to the Mermaid Garden Flea Market, a more recent but no less revered tradition of the soon-to-be closed Mermaid, and pick up some gifts for the quirky ones on your holiday shopping list. The monthly flea market took welcome advantage of the Mermaid's lush, ample back courtyard to offer savvy shoppers anything from lavender bags to the subversive catalog of local poet/publisher Dennis Formento. This Christmas edition of the market offers calendars, jewelry, art, clothes and more. Add to this mix the eclectic polka-funk of house band Apolkalypse Now!, a group that even brings beer-boiled bratwurst to the party. Free admission. -- Etheridge
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- 18th Annual Messiah Sing-Along
- 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12
- Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520
The Trinity Artist Series is one of those ongoing events that is rather easy to take for granted. Virtually every week offers something different and enticing as Music Director Albinas Prizgintas constantly searches for ways to breathe new life into classical musical. (Bach Around the Clock is but one shining example.) There's always a bit of a gleam in Prizgintas' eye; he's constantly looking for the inclusive route, and the annual Messiah Sing-Along is another perfect example of this. There are few more heartwarming notions than the community choral vibe that the holidays produce, and what better way to participate in this than the Sing-Along. The scores are provided to willing participants, and audience members are encouraged to sing their hearts (if not their lungs) out with accompaniment by Prizgintas on the pipe organ. Unsure of yourself on the high notes? No matter; there will be plenty of popular soloists available to handle the tough stuff. Admission? Are you kidding? It's on the house. -- Simmons
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- The Nutcracker
- 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12; 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13
- Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-1231
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Ballet Hysell's The Nutcracker, playing this weekend at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, is one of several local productions of Tchaikovsky's classic.
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Jefferson Ballet Theater director Myra Mier once again helps usher in the cultural holiday season with the return of her troupe's now 17th annual production of The Nutcracker. Mier tempts local audiences by assembling a cast of dancers that mixes favorite local faces with world-class talent. Patricia Perez and Ramon Moreno, a husband-and-wife duo from Cuba, will fill the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, respectively. Both dancers have trained at the Centro Pro Danza in Havana and performed as soloists with top companies in Cuba. Local contributions include Sara Brignac as Clara, Justin Camarigg as Fritz and Becky Allen as Mrs. Silberhaus. A ³Sugar Plum Party' follows Sunday's show, featuring a meet-and-greet with the cast, candies and a raffle. Tickets are $23 adults, $18 seniors, $13 children and students. -- Etheridge
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- Ellis Marsalis
- 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12
- St. Louis Cathedral, 615 Pere Antoine Alley, 525-9585
There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than attending the Christmas concerts in the grand acoustic setting of St. Louis Cathedral. Pianist Ellis Marsalis will undoubtedly feature material from his 2002 release Jazz at Christmas in New Orleans (EM), another collaboration with one of his talented sons -- Jason, who plays drums and vibes on what is one of the better jazz Christmas albums. Jason's rendition of the ³O Little Town of Bethlehem' melody on vibes as Ellis comps behind him is gorgeous, while ³O Holy Night' has a stately, almost Modern Jazz Quartet-like gravity. On the other hand, whimsical, swinging versions of ³Silent Night' and ³Winter Wonderland' show a more playful side of Marsalis and capture the season's joy. No cover. -- John Swenson
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- Little Jewels: Collages by James Denmark, Randell Henry and Cecilia Pedescleaux
- Through December
- Stella Jones Gallery, 201 St. Charles Ave., 568-9050
Funny how the mind works: everything gets pigeonholed, so art, sports and the trades are all separate and never the twain shall meet. Never mind that poet Jack Kerouac went to college on a sports scholarship. As did artist James Denmark, whose colorful collages at Stella Jones reflect not only his love of action -- musical and dance-like forms abound -- but also a keen sense of color and design influenced by growing up in a family of quilt makers and brick masons. The relation of quilting to collage is seen as well in Cecilia Tapplette Pedescleaux's creations, and if they resemble quilts, that may be because they are. Even so, her collaged fabric extravaganzas such as Momma Cordy's House have appeared at the New Orleans Museum of Art among other lofty venues. -- D. ERIC BOOKHARDT
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