Promoting the critically acclaimed Chemical Friends, San Francisco native n.Lannon is on the road morphing his acoustic-guitar-and-home-computer recording into a three-piece live band sound. The record is filled with luscious sounds and melodies ranging from hushed acoustic songs reminiscent of Nick Drake to the simulated 808 beats that bands like Autechre pioneered, only in a more subdued setting. For more on n.Lannon, see our story in this issue. Appearing on the same bill tonight at The Room are headliner The Virginia Reel and Bitter, Bitter Weeks. Tickets for the show, which begins around 10pm, are $7. For more information, go to www.theroom.tv or call 704-527-4511. (Schacht)
Drac is back at the Hart-Witzen in Moving Poets Theatre of Dance's annual homage to Halloween. But he's only part of the Poets' package that they're calling The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Poets are planning to make your night twice, exhuming a retooled Dracula from his coffin tonight and pairing the world premiere of Casanova Frankenstein with A Beautiful Murder (formerly Murder Woyzeck) tomorrow. These performances on Wednesday and Thursday have been designated "open dress rehearsals," so you do get a break on ticket prices before Dracula officially opens on Friday and Casanova preens for your approval on Saturday. Frankenstein promises to be doubly seasonal as the famed monster runs for President and the audience votes on the ending. Dracula runs on even-numbered days (except the 26th) through October 30, and the Casanova/Murder duo runs on odd-numbered evenings (except the 25th) through October 31. Wednesday through Saturday performances at the Hart-Witzen, 136 E. 36th Street, begin at 8pm, and Sunday shows start at 7pm. Ticket pricing is nearly as bewildering as the leading candidates' Social Security proposals, ranging from $12-$22.50. Call 704-527-6683. (Tannenbaum)
As part of the Novello Festival, author Tim Tyson will read from his latest book, Blood Done Sign My Name. The book tells the true story of the murder of a 20-year-old black man, Henry Darrow, in 1970 in Tyson's hometown of Oxford, NC, and how the tragedy dramatically widened the racial gap in the small community. After the reading, Tyson, a professor of African-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin and a 2004-2005 National Humanities Center Fellow, will discuss the book; a book signing and dessert reception will follow. The event is at the Levine Museum of the New South at 7pm. Tickets are $10, and can be purchased by calling 704-333-1887. Space is limited -- advance ticket purchase is recommended.
OCTOBER 21 - THURSDAY
Some of his songs are downright hilarious while others bring on a smile with his wry and dry vocal delivery. Todd Snider uses satire with ease to bring his songs of everyday folks and their daily dilemmas to the fore. His musical timing is rarely off, as he melds blues and folk stir-fried with country and rock. If you're not rolling in the aisle with "The Ballad of the Kingmen," off his new recording East Nashville Skyline, then "Conservative, Christian, Right-wing Republican, Straight, White, American Males" ought to do the trick. At Visulite, tickets are $15 in advance, $17 at the door. For more details call 704-358-9200 or hop on over to visulite.com. (Shukla)
It's "bubble, bubble" bolognese as Opera Carolina brings us Verdi's Macbeth a full week before our Halloween revels. The Italian master advanced the art of opera in 1846 when he borrowed from the Bard, emphasizing acting far more than his singers were accustomed to. Inspired by the tragedy's weird atmospherics, Verdi also accorded as much attention -- and invention -- to his orchestrations as he did to his celebrated melody lines. Neither the original 1846 score nor the 1865 revision has ever been presented by Opera Carolina before, but it looks like OC is poised to get it right. Mark Rucker, who excelled villainously in the company's Il Trovatore back in 2001, takes on the title role just two months prior to his Metropolitan Opera debut, partnered with soprano Jeanne-Michelle Charbonnet as Lady Macbeth. Jay Lesenger, of Porgy & Les fame, returns to stage direct. The Belk Theater curtain rises at 7:30pm, with encore performances on Saturday night at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $10-$81. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)
Emmy Award-winning journalist Charlie Rose is undoubtedly one of the last bastions of thoughtful and intelligent banter on TV. His folksy, natural style and insatiable curious nature actually bring out informative discussions with guests. His Southern poise, on view nightly on PBS, invariably gets guests to open up, which avoids the "two walls talking" nature of most talk shows. Rose will speak as part of Queens University of Charlotte's The Learning Society's 2004-2005 speaker series. Tonight at 7pm in Dana Auditorium on the Queens campus. Tickets are $20 for general public, $15 for Queens students and alumni. For further details call 704 337-2256 or visit www.queens.edu/learningsociety. (Shukla)
