The PopCulteer
May 18, 2012

We had another wonderful ArtWalk last night, as Charleston’s finest galleries opened their doors late so that the denizens of Charleston’s art scene could check out their latest exhibits. The Dr. Sketchy’s crew was all over the place promotiing this Sunday’s Star Wars-themed session at Kanwha Players Theater. That’s your PopCulteer’s imaginary daughter, Kitty Killton at right, decked out in Wookie gear. That’s cameos in PopCult photo essays in two consecutive days for the kid!

Your PopCulteer took in a truncated list of galleries so that he and his lovely fiancee, Melanie Larch, could catch Thursday’s performance of The Charleston Stage Company production of Steve Martin’s play, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” It’s a great, intelligent comedy with wonderful performances by the cast and deft direction by Tim Mace. You have two more chances to see the play, tonight and Saturday at 7:30 PM at the WVSU Capitol Cente Theater on Summers Street. You should go see it.

We lucked into something very cool just outside of Ellen’s Ice Cream on Capitol Street. A stripped-down line-up of Qiet was performing. We were attracted by the musical saw, but were hooked by the bass brass (I want to call it a tuba, but I know that’s wrong). Luckily I have a video setting on the camera.

You can catch Qiet with The Demon Beat and Tofujitsu June 15 at The Boulevard Tavern. We’ll tell you more about that in the coming weeks. Now, it’s picture time!

Katheryne Hawkins at Roman Associates

Katheryne Hawkins showed some amazing work at Romano Associates. I expect we'll see more from this talented newcoming in the future.

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Last night the first launch party for Daniel (heretofore referred to as “Danny”) Boyd’s graphic novel reinvention of his classic movie, “Chillers,” took place at Lost Legion Games & Comics The Rifleman in South Charleston. The place was packed. It ws a rousing success, and our PopCult cameras were there to record part of the action.

Writer and Director Daniel Boyd, Author William (Bill) Bitner, Author Jason Pell, Bus Driver Peterr Jesus (Norman Jordan), Chillers Graphic Novel Cover Girl Erica Martin and collaborators,  Betsy Rayvenn Allen and Jason Pell were on hand, as your PopCulteer popped in with his sidekick for the evening, the world-famous Kitty Killton.

This evening, Danny and the Chillers crew will be at  Lost Legion Games & Comics, The Keep, in Princeton, 5:30 PM to 8. Friday the tour hits Lost Legion Games & Comics, The Castle, in Beckkley, also at 5:30, and Saturday the book tour heads North to Lost Legion Games & Comics, The Vault, in Parkersburg, at 2 PM.

On to the ;photos!

Bus Driver Peterr Jesus (Norman Jordan), Betsy Rayvenn Allen, Chillers Graphic Novel Cover Girl Erica Martin, Danny Boyd and Jason Pell

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Bus Driver Peterr Jesus (Norman Jordan) and Daniel Boyd, with the Chillers graphic novel.

The classic WEst Virginia Horror movie, “Chillers,” has made the transition into graphic novel form, and tonight, Director/Creator Danny Boyd, along with contributing authors William (Bill) Bitner and Jason Pell, plus Bus Driver Peterr Jesus (Norman Jordan, seen above with Danny in a photo swiped from Facebook), “Chillers”Graphic Novel Cover Girl Erica Martin and more associated folks from the movie and graphic novel will appear at Lost Legion Games and Comics the Rifleman, 600 D Street, South Charleston, for The CHILLERS Graphic Novel Launch Party! The fun kicks off at 5: PM and at 8 PM moves around the corner to Mojjo’s Bar, on Seventh Avenue.

The CHILLERS Graphic Novel is based on the fondly-remembered 1988 Troma film written and directed by Daniel Boyd. This is the first graphic novel to be released in the anthology series by Transfuzion Publishing. The book features eleven horrifying tales narrated by passengers riding a bus to Babylon and how they “earned” their seat on the bus. These are short, horroific morality tales, presented in glorious black and white, just like the classic stories from “Creepy” and “Eerie” magazines, back in the day.It’s a fun collection of short horror comics, and a fun readl.

This graphic novel ties in with the soon-to-be re-release of the moviie on DVD, and the hard copy release of Canadian punk rocker Buddy Black’s “Chillers” tribute EP, “Wirchfinger.” There will be copkes of the graphic novel, hot off the press from publisher, Tranzfusion, so you can get some of the first copies availalble to the public, and get them signed by authors and cast moembers. If you can’t make it to tnight’s launch party/book signing, keep watching PopCult for news of a screening of the movie, along with a show by Buddy Black, during FestivAll.

Today’s art is another geometric study in color composition. Stare at it long and hard for deeper meaning and/or to see the pirate ship. Click to enlarge.

Tonight we present the trailer for  “Blind Date,” a short film by James Vernon Brown, starring Sierra Ferrell. This is an example of James’ work for his production company, The Liquid Canvas.  You will see more of James’ work later this week, when Radio Free Charleston 158, which is devoted entirely to the work of James Vernon Brown and The Liquid Canvas goes live.

The PopCulteer
May 11, 2012

Your PopCulteer is buried under deadlines and hard at work on next week’s Radio Free Charleston, so our Friday column will be a little shorter than usual this week.  We’re going to start with some random links to cool things, and then wrap up with some neat weekend events and photos.

A couple of weeks ago, “That Conversation,” a new Podcast by Patrick Felton, made its debut and it’s well worth checking out.  This podcast will focus on arts and creativity in the Kanawha Valley, and the first installment is a long, comprehensive, interview with playwright and director, Dan Kehde, of the Contemporary Youth Arts Company. The second installment should be coming soon, and after that,  RFC fans may hear a familiar voice pop up.

Congrats to Chris Chaber and The Empty Glass crew on their coming expansion into the New China building. The Glass is a legendary venue, but at times it does get to be a little like the Black Hole of Calcutta in there when a popular band is playing. Now, with accomodations for a larger crowd, maybe we can get Unknown Hinson to return to Charleston. Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s art is an abstract piece that was inspired by classic car designs from the 1950s. Click to to see a bigger version.

The Charleston Light Opera Guild production of “The Color Purple” is an unqualified success. You can read a great review of it here, if the Gazette hasn’t hidden it behind a non-working registration page like they have for me. You have two more weekends to see this stunning musical. We were lucky to get to bring you rehearsal footage from the show in Radio Free Charleston 157, and tonight we have bonus coverage. First up, in the clip above, you’ll see Janelle Williams as Celie, singing “I’m Here,” which we had running under the credits on RFC.

After that, you’ll get to see the whole cast perform “The Color Purple.” We recorded this the same night, but couldn’t fit it into the show. Here it is for your enjoyment. I hope this convinces some of you to come see The Color Purple” May 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 PM, or May 13 at 3 PM at The Charleston Civic Center Little Theater.  Check the CLOG  website for more details.

The PopCulteer
May 4, 2012

Jam Packed Weekend

It’s another weekend where everybody decided to do everything at the same time in town, so your PopCulteer will do his best to dive headfirst into the events pile and come up with the trendiest catch.

Friday

IWA Wrestling

IWA East Coast Wrestling makes its debut in Clendenin for some reason Friday night, and They’re bringing former WWE, TNA and ECW star, Rhino with them!

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That’s Radio Free Charleston 157, “The Mighty Thor Shirt,” you see up there in the box above this text. This week we are bringing you three songs from the newest production by the Charleston Light Opera Guild, plus we have some new music from Godmode Broadway, and a heartfelt plea from The Tom McGees. Host segments were shot around The Charleston Civic Center.

The Charleston Civic Center Little Theater is the site of the Charleston Light Opera Guild production of the musical version of “The Color Purple.” The beloved novel by Alice Walker was turned into a Broadway musical a few years ago by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, with a book by Marsha Norman, and it is the spring offering from Charleston’s Light Opera Guild, opening May 4.

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