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HOT SEVEN
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04 26 05 |
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Kid-oriented movie- and TV-themed stage shows come and go, but few can rival the Disney on Ice shows for sheer spectacle. Offering lavish special effects and costuming -- and a 43-foot whale -- FINDING NEMO promises to be no exception. As snippets play from the original film's dialogue (including Ellen DeGeneres' vocal turn as the memory-impaired Dory), ice skaters re-create the 2003 Disney Pixar saga of a clownfish father (voiced by Albert Brooks) who voyages into the deep blue sea in search of his son Nemo (Alexander Gould). (In the tradition of children's movies since Bambi, Nemo's mother is offed early on in the proceedings.) The supporting cast in the movie -- and on ice -- includes surfer-dude turtles, vegetarian sharks and the denizens of a dentist-office aquarium, a Tank Gang that is presided over by a menacing Gill (Willem Dafoe).
Nemo was the most visually stunning film to emerge from the Disney-Pixar collaboration, with animators making full use of the Great Barrier Reef color spectrum, and memorable scenes including a perilous journey through a waving forest of jellyfish. That scene is among those recreated by Disney on Ice, and reports are that the stagecraft measures up. Plus, Disney on Ice has a history of recruiting some of the country's best competitive skaters for its cast. 'I have a three-foot fin sticking out of my back, but there's enough technical skating to make it exciting,' Joey Doud, who plays Nemo, has said. Choreographer Cindy Stuart's resume includes work for a number of Olympic champs, including Chen Lu. Nemo adapts particularly well to the ice, Stuart has said, because it allows her to recreate the flow of water on the ice. And if that's not enough, the show includes a number set to 'Octopus's Garden.'
Finding Nemo comes to Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena (6801 Franklin Ave., 280-7222; www.arena.uno.edu) for a series of shows this week: 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, through Sunday, May 1, plus 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. shows on Saturday-Sunday. Tickets range from $15-$50. For more information, contact the box office or Ticketmaster at 522-5555. -- Michael Tisserand
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- North Mississippi Allstars
- 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 27
- House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE; www.hob.com
Contrary to conventional wisdom, there is more than one kind of blues in Mississippi. Most people think of the Delta blues of Charlie Patton, Robert Johnson, and Sonny Boy Williamson when they think of blues, but there is also the north Mississippi blues of Fred McDowell, R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. This droning, trance-like sound is the source of the North Mississippi Allstars' groove. On its latest record, Hill Country Revue: Live at Bonnaroo (Ato), the group moves further into a Southern rock vein while going back to its roots in one-chord blues and the fife and drum music of the Mississippi hills. The band rocks with improvisations that rarely noodle and charges like the railroads that inspired so many blues riffs and songs. Tickets $30. -- David Kunian
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- Dr. John's Tribute to Ray Charles
- 8 p.m. Thursday, April 28
- House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE; www.hob.com
Dr. John's singular style has often overshadowed his content, which is why this master architect of New Orleans R&B and funk is at his best on special projects. He always sees the large-screen version of a musical landscape, as in his revealing Duke Ellington tribute, 2000's Duke Elegant (Blue Note), which concentrated on some of the lesser-known corners of the maestro's work. When you consider the profound influence New Orleans R&B had on Ray Charles (and vice versa), Rebennack is the perfect choice to fete the genius. With Mac at the helm, this will be far from an appease-the-tourists greatest hits run-through. Expect a detailed musical excursion into the world of Ray Charles and a Dr. John show at the same time. Bobby 'Blue' Bland opens. Tickets $36.50. -- John Swenson
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- George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
- 10 p.m. Thursday, April 28
- TwiRoPa (Live Room), 1544 Tchoupitoulas St., 232-9503; www.twiropa.com
'What would the world be like without 'Flash Light'?' Bassist Bootsy Collins posed this question during Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth -- a 39-minute documentary shot during Jazz Fest 2003 that pays tribute to the enigmatic Parliament Funkadelic keyboardist. The answer: boring. Worrell's stints in George Clinton's bands in the '70s introduced into the pop sonic vocabulary cosmic synthesizers like those on 'Flash Light' -- Parliament's first No. 1 single, topping the R&B charts in 1977. During the 1980s, Worrell brought his wry, spaceship-sounding flourishes to the Talking Heads. Though his contributions are often overlooked, Worrell enhanced both groups' quirky sounds. David Byrne and George Clinton pay homage to Worrell in the documentary -- which will be screened before Worrell and Clinton reunite on stage for another expansive Parliament Funkadelic extravaganza. Tickets $31. -- Reuben Brody
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The list of events that fill out the perimeter surrounding Jazz Fest continues to grow at what seems like an exponential pace, but what with the incredibly temperate weather we've been having, this seems like a particularly nice addition to the proceedings. The event promises three days of music and two nights of camping on Scout Island. The music lineup alone is impressive: the Derek Trucks Band, Papa Mali and the Lost Bayou Ramblers (Friday); Deep Banana Blackout, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas and Caveman (Saturday); and the Lost Bayou Ramblers (Sunday). Throw in the camping, and what the promoters boast as 'the world's largest crawfish boil' (we'll see about that), and you've got yourself a mini-Jazz Fest all its own with a sleeping bag to boot. Camping facilities are expected to sell out quickly. Campers are encouraged to clean up after themselves. Gates open 9 a.m., with the final clean-up at 9 a.m. Monday, May 2. Music tickets $24.50 advance, $34.50 day of show. Camping passes $150. -- David Lee Simmons
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- Kevin McCaffery and Jan Clifford book-release party
- 4 p.m. Friday, April 29
- Beaucoup Books, 3951 Magazine St., 895-2663; www.beaucoupbooks.com
Kevin McCaffery and Jan Clifford penned The Incomplete, Year-By-Year, Selectively Quirky, Prime Facts Edition of the History of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (e/Prime), and they'll autograph copies of the book Friday afternoon. Beautifully illustrated with photos dating back to Jazz Fest's inception, the book includes musical lineups for each year, day and stage. The book is organized by years, with each chapter opening with a list of events that were happening in New Orleans and around the world, suggesting contexts for the festival. The book is full of anecdotes -- some quite well-remembered -- tracing the growth of the festival and, to a lesser degree, the ups and downs of New Orleans' musical legends. As it documents the festival, the book reveals many intriguing tidbits, such as photos from 1975 when the festival was sponsored by Schlitz, and R.L. Burnside performing in 1974 -- 30 years before Fat Possum Records introduced him to a wider audience. -- Alex Rawls
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- Louisiana Bike Expo
- 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, April 29; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 30; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1
- Louisiana Superdome, Sugar Bowl Drive, 828-7433; www.louisianabikeexpo.com
The Louisiana Bike Expo returns this year and is bigger and badder than ever. Billed as the 'largest indoor motorcycle event in the country,' the bike expo features live riding exhibitions and the latest in biker merchandise. This year, crowds are sure to flock to featured guests such as the Orange County Choppers -- of Discovery Channel fame -- who will roll their newest bikes into the Superdome and sign autographs for adoring gearheads. Local craftsmen show off their best bikes to be judged in competition, with the winner taking home $5,000 in cash and a year's worth of bragging rights. For kids who could care less about the art of bike production, this year's expo offers arts and crafts, also known as free babysitting. Tickets $15 general admission, $7 children. -- Ian Manheimerv
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In anticipation of the new Audubon Insectarium --scheduled to open downtown this fall -- this year's Zoo-To-Do for Kids is titled 'Bugapalooza.'All proceeds for the event will go to the Audubon Zoo, which suggests that this event is as educational as it is fun. Kids with enough curiosity are invited to hear zoologists talk about wildlife and conservation, but the allure of carnival games and climbing walls may entice a few to leave class early. If all the talk about bugs makes you hungry, the event provides a wide selection of offerings from local restaurants. Special ticket packages are available for those truly in the giving spirit. Tickets $20 general admission, $16 for Audubon Nature Institute members. The regular Zoo-to-Do fundraiser will be held May 6. -- Manheimer
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- 3Now4kestra
- 8 p.m. Friday, April 29
- Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767; www.zeitgeistinc.org
Bassist James Singleton stays busy. Besides playing with Astral Project, Rob Wagner Trio and occasionally Johnny V.'s Trio, he is also one of the mainstays of 3Now4 with pedal steel guitar player Dave Easley. In the past year, Singleton has experimented with different musical configurations, including a string quartet and a trio that included a percussionist who created loops onstage with a sampler. The groups performed the same set of music and, in each case, the emphasis was on group improvisation. This night marks the debut of the 3Now4kestra -- the merging of the 3Now4 with the trio and the string quartet. The show brings together some of the finest improvisers in the city, including current 3Now4 members Tim Green (tenor saxophone) and Endre Landsnes (drums). Though a project like this sounds like an invitation to racket, all Singleton's ensembles have distinguished themselves as excellent listeners whose individual performances show a consciousness of the group as well. Cover $6 general admission, $5 for students, seniors and unemployed, $4 for Zeitgeist members. -- Rawls
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- daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra
- 9 p.m. Friday, April 29
- TwiRoPa (Live Room), 1544 Tchoupitoulas St., 232-9503; www.twiropa.com
The daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra is a 63-member symphony that combines European classical music with jazz and hip-hop. The group's principle composer and baritone saxophonist, Geoff 'Double G' Gallegos, told CBS Radio that he 'would love to see ... young people going to see the symphony, and old people going to see hip-hop.' A recording of daKAH's show at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco -- daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra San Francisco Debut (Kufala) -- shows there is a lot less Stravinsky than Public Enemy. daKAH sounds more like a massive Ozomatli, with self-effacing MCs and a woodwind section. Although it never seems to provide the movement of a classical orchestra, daKAH is a window to new places. This show is part of daKAH's first road trip out of California. Tickets $26. -- Brody
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The new school of Gov't Mule began as a determined attempt by guitarist-vocalist Warren Haynes and drummer Matt Abts to continue after the tragic death of bassist Allen Woody in 2000. It has evolved into a completely new band that comes ever closer to being the perfect vehicle for Haynes' dangerous visions. Haynes reached a new level on last year's multi-textured Deja Voodoo (Ato), coming to terms with his deep roots in the music of Jimi Hendrix and his uncompromising approach to contemporary rock. The album is the first studio project with the band's two new permanent members, Danny Louis on keyboards and Andy Hess on bass. Louis is an exceptional writing foil for Haynes, as their collaborations 'Bad Man Walking' and 'Silent Scream' demonstrate. Umphrey's McGee and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band also will perform. Tickets $34.50. -- Swenson
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- Sousafunk! -- A Sousaphone Showcase
- 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 29
- Rosy's Jazz Hall, 500 Valence St., 896-7679; rosyjazzhall.com
As sousaphone player for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kirk Joseph changed the way the instrument is played, which placed him at the forefront of a brass band revolution. He did his best to emulate an electric bass guitar with a sousaphone, and brass band music became funkier as a result. This show celebrates brass bands in general and the sousaphone in particular, with performances by Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove, Soul Rebels, the Forgotten Souls Brass Band and the only non-Jazz Fest appearance by the original Dirty Dozen Brass Band. ReBirth's Phillip Frazier and Lil' Rascals' Jeffrey Hills lead the Sousaphonic Philharmonic, which includes guitarists Papa Mali and Anders Osborne. Tickets $25. -- Rawls
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- Nellie McKay
- 10 p.m. Friday, April 29
- One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-8361
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Acerbic pianist Nellie McKay keeps you away from her
Friday at One Eyed Jacks.
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Precocious 20-year-old cabaret vixen Nellie McKay, with her 2004 debut, Get Away From Me (Columbia), has earned herself a rep as the thinking person's (or at least, the embittered, sarcastic person's) Norah Jones. The album's title serves as a counter-point to Jones' Come Away With Me and Jane Monheit's Come Dream With Me. Rolling Stone's review warned, 'Beware her wrath,' and W magazine likened her to a combination of Doris Day and Eminem. The 18-track album of McCay compositions (on which she plays four instruments) is a blend of jazz, vintage Tin Pan Alley pop, bossa nova, blues and a smidgen of hip-hop. Her bunny-soft, butter-smooth alto coyly sugarcoats wry, funny lyrics urbane enough for Cole Porter and vicious enough for Kurt Weill, with enough blithe smolder to go up against any torcher who ever draped herself across a piano. Tickets $17.50. -- Alison Fensterstock
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- Robert Randolph and the Family Band
- 9 p.m. Saturday, April 30
- Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart St., 525-1052; www.saengertheatre.com
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Robert Randolph and the Family Band get sacred on Saturday at the Saenger.
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Photo by Norbert Jones
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With cousins Danyell Morgan on bass, Marcus Randolph on drums and John Ginty on the Hammond B-3, Robert Randolph has taken sacred steel gospel to the genre's widest audience by melding it with roots rock, showing that his Americana is as carefree as it is spiritual. This audience accumulation thing happened quickly. In 2002, Robert Randolph and the Family Band played in 150-seat venues; in 2004, they opened for Eric Clapton at the Royal Albert Hall and performed at Bonnaroo. It's not hard to imagine jam band fans falling for the gospel; Randolph and Co. share their joyful souls by focusing more on the righteous and less on the self. As Christianitytoday.com aptly notes, 'It's about celebration; not about preaching.' Tickets $31.25-51.25. -- Brody
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- Noizefest
- 10 p.m. Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1
- Planet of the Dreamers, 600 Desire St., 940-2168
Conceived by New Orleans' self-proclaimed 'King of Ambient Noise,' Deacon Johnson (also known as Keith Moore, son of Deacon John) as a response to Jazz Fest's inattention to the thriving New Orleans electronic music scene, Noizefest is a celebration of the special connection that's made when people get along very well with machines. The lineup runs the gamut from avant-jazz group Ray Bong and the Bongoloids to rock 'n' roller King Louie One Man Band to Media Darling Records' hip-hop artist DJ Ladyfingaz, with a broad spectrum of nontraditional instrumentation and funny noises. Bywater's favorite mad scientist, Quintron, will leave the Drum Buddy and organ behind to DJ a special noise set. Tickets $10. -- Fensterstock10 p.m. Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1
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- Michael Ray & the Cosmic Krewe Funkalicious Funk Fest with special guests
- 10 p.m. Sunday, May 1
- Southport Hall, 200 Monticello Ave., Jefferson, 834-7990; www.newsouthport.com
New Orleans has not been the same since Michael Ray decamped. There is a distinct lack of universal whimsy and free jazz funk that seemed to be in the air when he lived here. But fear not. Ray is back and convening his booty-shaking, space-philosophizing Cosmic Krewe for this Funk Fest. He will mix up his unique version of cosmic ooze, combining his two main influences and bands -- Sun Ra's Arkestra and Kool & the Gang. Ray knows the secrets of both groups, and the Cosmic Krewe can take an audience to other worldly realms, with psychic Siamese twin keyboardists David Ellington and Josh Paxton and husband-and-wife-team bassist Jimbo Walsh and flautist Janna Saslaw. For the past decade, Cosmic Krewe shows during Jazz Fest have consistently been flat-out revelatory and wild. Cover $15 -- Kunian
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- Women of the World: A Global Collection of Art
- Through June 19
- Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3806; www.cacno.org
You know what they say about little acorns. Women of the World: A Global Collection of Art, is a show of smallscale art works by women living in 176 countries, and if that seems like a lot of work, it began as a simple idea in the mind of an artist. Claudia DeMonte (whose own work is on view at the Cole Pratt Gallery) asked one woman in each country to submit art work reflecting that culture's view of womanhood, a simple-sounding concept that turned out to be a challenging goal, consuming more than three years of her life. The resulting exhibition highlights the similarities as well as the differences among the cultures of the world. Also on view is Real Beauty, DeMonte's collection of nearly 100 "handmade fabric female dolls from all parts of the world." -- D. Eric Bookhardt
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