Book Series at Davis-Kidd (The Dirt on Bookworms)

Pride Week

Out of Town

We Recommend (?) One of these?

For the week of June 3 – Thursday, June 9:

FILM

Double Feature at The Knoxville Museum of Art will feature two

documentaries this week about Australian Aborigines: Sons of

Namatjira focuses on the difficulties of the four sons of world-famous

Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira as they try to continue the artistic

legacy of their late father while trying to maintain cultural and financial

stability. June 5 at 2 p.m. and June 7 at noon in the KMA auditorium.

Dreamings: The Art of Aboriginal Australia is a strong

cinematographic piece on the sacred and stylized imagery of Australian

Aboriginal artwork that depicts psychic historical landscapes. June 12 at 2

p.m. and June 14 at noon in the KMA auditorium. Both films complement the

current KMA exhibition, Dreamtime: Australian Aboriginal Art from the

Collection of John Kluge. These documentaries are free.

ARTWORK

The Bachelor of Fine Arts/ Architecture Honors Exhibition at the

Ewing Gallery. This exhibit lets you know what all these angsty

art and architecture students have been so stressed out about. All types of

media are represented here and the Architecture exhibit is especially

complexly cool. Until June 10. Admission is free.

At the Candy Factory – World’s Fair Park:

For the month of June:

“Two of a Kind” Collaborations and originals by potter Liza Bach and fiber

artist Frances Fox. The Art Market Special Exhibits Room, 4th Floor.

Hand-Carved Medicine Pipes by local artist David K Hackett. The Beads and

Feathers Gallery, 2nd Floor.

Arts Council Artist of the Month Victoria Kryah; photography/ multi-media.

4th Floor Lobby Gallery.

FESTIVALS:

The 1994 Kuumba Festival Kick-Off at the Knoxville Museum of Art.On

Thursday June 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. the annual Kuumba Festival, this year

titled “A Taste of Africa,” will provide a feast of entertainment for all

ages. This particular evening will feature performances by annual favorites

Kuumba Watoto Drum and Dance Ensemble (these young ladies can

dance,) Bermuda’s Gumbay Dancers, the Free-Spirit Stiltwalkers, the

African All-star Drummers, The Nubian League and the Empress Ama Dancers.

Harambe catering will provide traditional African dishes and cuisine.

The evening’s activities, as is admission to the museum, is free.

The Knoxville Jazz and Blues Festival V.

(See feature story next week for the continuation of this festival)

At the Whittle Communications Courtyard downtown (finally a use for

this building) this fifth annual festival will feature some really big

names. For Thursday, June 9: Jerry Coker & Friends at 6:30 and An Evening

With Dave Brubeck at 8:30. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of

the show. Those “W” gates open at 6:00 and “Adult Refreshments will be

available” (I’m assuming that means beer.)

Forks of the River Jam.

Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 on Industrial Road in Newport,

Tennessee. This two-day, outdoor festival features some of the biggest

names in country and good ‘ole rock’n’roll music.

Showcasing Friday’s performances, along with Benny Wilson and

Tom Wopat will be the “illegitimate son of Jerry Lee

Lewis,” Jason D. Williams. This young performer does more than just

tickle the ivories, he makes them come out laughing, with his feet. Bill

and Hillary love him, so he’s well worth the trip. Shows start at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $11.

Saturday’s show shows how the South’s gonna do it again. Check out this

list: Hank Williams, Jr., Charlie Daniels, Kentucky Headhunters, Clinton

Gregory, Earl Thomas Conley, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Celinda Pink,

Butch Baker, and Alan Spencer Hale. This show will start

at noon and tickets go for $28.

READINGS&LECTURES

For the Dirt on Bookworms, Davis-Kidd is offering three consecutive days of

literary provocation:

Sunday, June 5 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Jackie Torrence will be signing her

first book, The Importance of Pot Liquor and plans to tell a tale or

two. One of America’s most prolific African-American storytellers retells

her grandmother and grandfather ‘s favorite tales learned while growing up

in the backwoods of North Carolina. Otherwise known simply as the “story

lady,” Torrence has achieved an international reputation as a storyteller

and has performed at the National Storytelling Festival and the Kennedy

Center.

Monday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at Central Baptist Church the Knoxville Chapter of

“Sisters in Crime.” This organization (which is also open to men) promotes

the awareness of women writers of mystery novels. Membership is open to all

persons who have an interest in writing and reading mystery novels.

Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m.: “Travel Talk” Series featuring Driving

Destinations & What, When, Where in Knoxville: A Kid’s Activity

Source Book. Driving Destinations will feature a discussion by

June Britt of AAA Travel Agency on destinations within two to four driving

hours of Knoxville. Ideas land in Alabama, Virginia, the Carolinas,

Kentucky, Georgia and Tennessee. What, When, Where in Knoxville: A Kid’s

Activity Source Book will feature author Rene Reynolds Waibel’s

research on the area and fun out-of-town trips for the kiddies. Her book

also features over 200 ideas of what to do with kids in the area.

BANDS

Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 at Flamingo’s:

Medeski, Martin and Wood. This instrumental Bop/ Jazz/ Funk/ Rock

troupe features a high energy show that’s as fun to watch as it is to

listen. With the Jazz Liberation Quartet on Friday and El Smarto

on Saturday. Doors open at 9 p.m., show starts at 10. $5 at the door.

Friday, June 3 at Mac’s Grillle: Vanilla Trainwreck. This

Raleigh-based foursome disses the apathy of indie-rock and tackles a highly

emotional agenda of some heavy, heart-felt sound.

Saturday, June 4 at the Bijou Theatre: “1st Annual Rock Night for AIDS

Housing.” Sage, Kincaid, Dorian, and KMC will each be playing

a 40-minute set to raise awareness and money for AIDS Housing in Knoxville.

Tickets are $5 in advance available at Rob Payne Music Center and $8 at the

door.

THEATRE

Saturday, June 4 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Tuesday-Thurday, 8 p.m.,

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Created by Larry

Gelbart (Of M.A.S.*. fame) and Bart Shrevelove with music and lyrics

by Stephen Sondheim, this hilarious musical farce focuses on a classical

setting of confusion, comedy and romance. Tickets range from $3 to

$18.

WE RECOMMEND: Every week, The Daily Beacon will offer

some ideas for the discriminating and cost-conscious Knoxvillian who wants

to be guaranteed a good time. For this week we recommend…

Neighborhood Texture Jam, with Rob Peter to Pay Paul and

DDT at the Mercury Theatre Friday night at 10 p.m. This Memphis-based

group got together at Rhodes in the eighties and have since been seriously

rockin’ Young Southern Bucks. Rough and tough as a slam dancer’s wet dream,

the group has high-powered percussion for even the non-contact dancer. The

lyrics (stuff like “You’re a special person/ You’re unique/ You’re a

special person in a mall boutique”) would bring everyone from Shakespeare

to Bukowski to their knees in tear jerking appreciation. Lots of pointing

and shouting. Don’t miss it.

The 4th Annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Week

Sunday, June 5 at Cafe Mozart in Market Square. Come see why Knoxville is

known as the “San Francisco of Appalachia.” This is a kick-off party for

the week. Hors’d’ouevres will be served, beer will be sold, and liquor can

be brought. Party starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at

the door. Can’t imagine how it could be boring.

– Larry McMahan