COOL! NEW! NEAT!:

The Mongolians have a proverb for almost anything, I tell you. They might

have been thinking about underground music when they said, “The ant is

small, but can undermine a mountain.” With the underground music of the

past decade (punk rock) reaching big-name pop status, it’s time to dig

deeper if you want real independent music. As luck would have it,

this weekend offers the opportunity to do just this. “Since you may die

tomorrow, learn wisdom.”

This Sunday, April 2, at 8:30 p.m. at the Tomato Head Restaurant on Market

Square, The Nocturnal Eye Company Listening Night #1 will be an

evening of free, improvised and experimental music. This is the first in a

planned series of such events designed to “let the great unheard be

heard.”

Sunday’s roster includes the Michael Jackson Trio from

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, improvising on reeds and brass. Stephen

Dunnington of Asheville, N.C., will perform solo “prepared-guitar”

works. Local guitar hero Terry Hill will offer solo guitar in the

“frippertronic” vein, and Knoxvillians William De Leonardis and

Brandon Beavers will improvise duets on a variety of acoustic, electric

and electronic instruments.

Event co-organizer Scott Key points out that this is not the average

rock’n’roll show.

“There probably won’t be a lot of stage presence,” says Key. “It’s music

that is meant to be listened to, but it’s not neccessarily un-assaulting.

Attitudinally, the music is very pro-independent, DIY and liberative.”

Admission to the event is $5. For more information or directions to the

Tomato Head, call 523-8372.

WORLD PREMIERE ROCK OPERA:

Tonight at the Clarence Brown Theatre, UT Theatres and

the Clarence Brown Theatre Company present the world premier of the

rock opera Dracula: Prince of the Dark. Based on Bram

Stoker’s novel, the opera version was conceived and adapted for the musical

stage by John R. Briggs, with music by Briggs and Dennis West.

Stephen Dean Davis portrays Count Dracula, with Jonathan Lutz

playing Professor Von Helsing. Local rocker Doug Schock, ex-lead

singer of Sage, plays Jonathan Harker.

“UT Theatres is extremely fortunate to host the world premier of such an

exciting piece of theatre,” says Zack Allen, UT Theatres Marketing

Director. “We have no doubt that audiences all over the country will be

chilled and thrilled by this rock opera.”

It should be interesting to see the story translated into opera. Allen says

some amazing special effects come into play as well.

Showtime tonight is 8 p.m. The play runs through Saturday,April 15.

Dracula, Prince of the Dark should not be confused with the West

Side Dinner Theatre’s production of Dracula, the Musical, presented

this past Halloween.

JUST SAY TANK GIRL:

Based on the underground British comic of the same name,Tank

Girl opens this weekend across the country. It’s the story of an

assertive young punk rock woman, her heavily armored tank and her mutant

kangaroo-man boyfriend.

The planet is dried out by a nasty comet and the government is run by the

Department of Water and Power, led by the evil Kesslee. To overthrow this

tyrannical mob, Tank Girl must use all the firepower and witty asides at

her disposal. Trust me, it’s a riot. That is, if the comic translates into

film as well as the film clips seem to indicate.

Lori Petty (Point Break, A League of Their Own)stars

as the butt-kicking title character, with Malcolm McDowell

(Clockwork Orange, Star Trek Generations) playing the evil

guy, Kesslee, as only he can. Ice-T stars as T-Saint, the leader of

the kangaroo-guys, Jeff Kober (China Beach) plays Tank Girl’s

favorite kangaroo, Booga, and Australian-born Naomi Watts

(Flirting) plays Tank Girl’s best pal Jet Girl.

Along with the film comes the raucous soundtrack, “coordinated” by

Courtney Love-Cobain. It features tunes from Hole (of

course), L7, Björk, Portishead, Bush,

Ice-T, Devo (yes, Devo) and Veruca Salt.

INTERNATIONAL FEST AUCTION:

Jubilee Community Arts will hold its fourth annual International

Dinner and Auction at the Elk’s Club on Lonas Road Saturday,

April 1, at 6:30 p.m. This event makes possible the International

Jubilee Festival which happens each June at the World’s Fair Park. Food

will be prepared by a variety of local internationally-flavored

restaurants, including Falafel Hut, Harambe, Neelam’s and the Philippine

Connection. Food will also be prepared by chefs Paul Campbell and

Perry Starkey (of Perry’s on Market Square). Tickets for the dinner

and auction are $20 per person and are availablewith advanced reservation

from Jubilee Community Arts at the Laurel Theatre.

UT STUDENT AND GUEST PERFORMERS:

Luke Batson will present his junior jazz recital on tenor saxophone at

2 p.m. Sunday, April 2, at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

Guest pianist Nancy Weems will perform at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4,

at the UT Music Hall.

Kevin Burdette, bass, will present his junior voice recital at 6

p.m. Thursday, April 6, in the UT Music Hall. He will be accompanied

by soprano Kristina Johnson.

Katie Oldham, piano, will present her senior recital in vocal

education at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the UT Music Hall.

Alan Wyatt, saxophone, will present his graduate jazz recital at 2

p.m. Sunday, April 9, at the KMA.

KNOXVILLE SYMPHONY:

Next Thursday, April 6, and Friday, April 7, the KSO presents

Opera in Concert performances of Puccini’s Turandot at the

Knoxville Civic Auditorium. The concerts start at 8 p.m. each night.

Tickets are $10, $20 and $27 in the orchestra section and $27, $29 and $40

in the balcony. UT students can receive discount tickets through the UT

Central Ticket Office.

ART:

The 48th Annual Student Art Competition, entitled Visual

Reality, will be on view in the Ewing Gallery of Art and

Architecture from April 4-10. This annual exhibition is one of the

oldest and largest art competitions in the country. Local businesses and

individuals have contributed over $3000 in awards, which will presented

during a reception on April 3 from 7-9 p.m. The Ewing Gallery, located in

the Art and Architecture Building, is open free to the public Monday-Friday

from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 1

to 4:30 p.m.

Bennett Galleries presents Print Masters, An Exhibition of

Printmaking Excellence. Located at 4515 Kingston Pike, the exhibition

includes original prints from the 1400s to the present, from woodcut to

computer thermography. Works include those by Israel van Meckenem,

Rembrandt van Rijn, Albrecht Dürer, Edouard Manet and others. The exhibit

runs through April 7.

In an Official Dogwoods Arts Festival event, Hanson

Artsource features the art of Texas PAINTER Bunny Oliver at its main

gallery through Sunday, April 23. The gallery is located at 5607 Kingston

Pike. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4

p.m. on Saturday.

THEATRE:

The AIDS Prevention Education Coalition and the Rainbow

Theatre Company present The Raft of the Medusa this

weekend at the Wesley Methodist Center on campus. Showtime are at

8:15 p.m. tonight and Saturday, April 1, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 2.

The play is a “taut 90 minute drama” concerning AIDS as a disease everyone

must face the dangers of. It is described as “a play of raw power” which

ranges “from fierce anger to unabashed sentimentality.” The cast includes

many UT and Knoxville area actors. Director Michael Arve directed last

fall’s Empty Chairs– Empty Tables.

Admission is $10 for general audience, $8 for seniors and students and $5

for UT students (with ID). Parental discretion is advised due to strong

language and adult situations.

Theatre Central, located at 141 S. Gay Street, presents One Flew

Over the Cuckoo’s Nest through April 22. Shows are Thursdays,

Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 on Thursdays, $8 on Fridays

and Saturdays. Students pay $5 for any showtimes.

The West Side Dinner Theatre, located at 12801 Kingston Pike in

Farragut, currently features Seance Fiction, an original

comedy by Knoxville playwrite Mark Hatmaker. The play is about Lou,

who disappeared seven years earlier in a bizarre accident. He’s been

declared legally dead, and his wife is besieged by ill-suited suitors. As

these things go, Lou turns up alive and none too happy about the situation.

UT student Michael Dubov plays Lou. The play runs Thursdays through

Saturdays until April 29.

The buffet starts at 6:45, the play at 8:15. For reservations call

966-8768. Cost is $18 per person for both dinner and the play, but “liberal

discounts” are available for groups of 10 or more.

The Cumberland County Playhouse, located in Crossville, Tenn.,

currently featuresFiddler on the Roof. Tickets are $16, $15

for seniors and $8 for children and students. Future show dates and times

are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at

2:30. Thursday matinees are scheduled for March 30 and April 13 at 2 p.m.

The play runs through April 15.

PLACES TO GO, PEOPLE TO SEE— “To be constantly cheerful is one of

the most difficult things.” But here are some cheery diversions for the

week:

BIJOU THEATRE, on Gay Street:

Hairspray pop-metal band Warrant makes a (brace yourself)

special surprise short-notice concert appearance tonight at 8

p.m. The big news? Warrant is “back from the dead,” having discovered the

“grunge-rock” thing. Even their gentle ballads “get the full ’90s treatment

as well as the feisty melody Warrant are (sic) renowned for.” One tune even

brags of “industrial-tinted mayhem.” In other words, the record company is

trying to make them look hip and new.

Of course, lots of people are into this sort of thing. Admission is $12,

with tickets available at all Tickets Unlimited outlets, or by calling

656-4444.

That award-winning hip and jazzy duo Tuck and Patti perform

Saturday, April 1, at 8 p.m.

ELECTRIC BALLROOM, corner of old Western Avenue and Blackstock:

This weekend, another Five and Dime Showcase graces the stage

under Western Avenue. Rob Peter To Pay Paul headline the event,

which also features Velocipede and Crop Circles. This all

ages extravaganza costs a mere $4. Showtime is 8 p.m.

FLAMINGO’S, on Cumberland Aveunue:

The Urban Shakedancers from Atlanta, with local “experimental groove

music” purveyors Stem will perform tonight at 10 p.m. Admission is

$5.

Kings of the Killer Fish appear Saturday, April 1, at 10 p.m.

American Recordings recording artists Mother Hips will appear in a

special free show Tuesday, April 4, at 10 p.m. Hailing from Chico,

California, these guys are a hot new buzz item sort of thing. Their new

album is called Back to the Grotto.

Gibb Droll, fresh from appearances with Buddy Guy, perform

Wednesday, April 5, at 10 p.m.

Other People perform Thursday, April 6, at 10 p.m.

GRYPHON’S, 2003 Highland Avenue:

The Idle Hands will weave their spell of rock-n-soul at 10 p.m. on

Thursday, April 6. You’ll be glad you experienced this band. Admission is

free.

The Rude Street Peters will perform Saturday, April 1, at 10 p.m.

Their latest tape is titled Don’t Make Me Get Up.

LUCILLE’S, in the Old City:

The Marcus Shirley Group performs tonight at 10 p.m. Admission

is $2.

Donald Brown and Early Bird perform Saturday, April 1, at 10 p.m.

Admission is $2.

Werner and Schmidt perform Sunday, April 2, at 7 p.m. Admission is

free.

MANHATTAN’S, in the Old City:

The Invaders perform Saturday, April 1, at 10 p.m. Admission is

$5.

MERCURY THEATRE, on Market Square:

Tonight, local metal heroes Malice In Wonderland will perform at

10 p.m., with special guest Mindseye. This is an all ages show.

Admission is $5.

Saturday, April 1, The Viceroys and the Tim Terrell Band

bring country-rock to town. The show starts at 10 p.m. Admission is

$5.

Sunday, April 2, new acoustic trio Faces of Eve will make their

debut performance at 10 p.m. Admission is $3. Club Pompeii dance

night will follow the show, with DJs Licorice and Lady Bathory.

SASSY ANN’S, in the 4th and Gill area:

Black Velvet Dogs play the blues tonight at 9:30. Admission is

$3.

THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA, on campus down by the river (you know):

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless will fill the arena with their

fine country sounds tonight at 8 p.m. Admission is $19.50, or $24.50 for

the good seats.

TOMATO HEAD on Market Square:

See the close-up above about the Nocturnal Eye Listening Night

happening this Sunday, April 2.

OPEN MIC READINGS–“Do not be subdued by the words of others; listen

only to your own conscience”:

The Torch Coffee House: Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Admission $1.

Ivory’s: Mondays at 9 p.m. Call 588-6023 for sign-up.

Gryphon’s — Rus’ Romper Room: Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Free.

Java, a Coffee House: Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Free

Manhattan’s: Tuesdays at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. sign-up). Free.

Yes, those Mongolians have a heap of good proverbs. I can’t help but

think of this one: “If the baby doesn’t cry, it doesn’t get the tit.” In

other words, if you have an event you’d like mentioned in The Daily

Beacon Entertainment Calendar, send the info to Room 5 of the

Communications Building, or call 974-0646. We’ll see what we can do (wink,

wink).