Short Takes: Entertainment Events In Brief

SAVANNAH FAITH
Kentucky graced the world with such music legends as country’s Loretta Lynn, bluegrass’ Bill Monroe and jazz’s Rosemary Clooney.
Now look to Dead Man Hollow, Ky., for 11-year-old Savannah Faith. Better still, see and hear the youngster on June 26 during this week’s installment of Music on the Square in downtown Jonesborough, Tenn.
How’s this for a star being born? Faith graduated from singing into a hairbrush at age 5 to wowing crowds at such fairs as the prestigious Tennessee State Fair.
While kids her age were winning trophies for cheerleading and softball, she’s won stacks of awards and talent shows. Here’s how. Faith sings as she was made with wings – she’s downright angelic.

IF YOU GO
What: Music on the Square Series
Who: Savannah Faith and The Rhythm Brewers
When: June 26, 7 p.m.
Where: Courthouse Square, Main Street, Jonesborough, Tenn.
Admission: Free
Web: http://www.savannahfaith.com
And: http://www.rhythmbrewers.com

COMICS CONVENTION
Art meets literature via wildly creative minds in the form of comic books. Yes, comic books.
Just fork out $2 and attend the 24th Annual Rob-Con Comic Book Convention on June 27 at the Bristol Mall in Bristol, Va.
Nationally renowned illustrator Charles Vess of Abingdon, who has drawn for such famed comics as “Spider-Man” and “Swamp Thing,” will appear as guest of honor.
More than 20 retailers will hawk comics for budgets large and small, serious and casual collector. Perhaps a pricey low-numbered issue of frequently stellar “The Incredible Hulk” or maybe a coveted “Batman” will emerge from the flock. Issues that once cost a quarter may now cost tens or even hundreds of dollars.
Spend a little or spend a lot, but time spent at this comic book convention should prove to be time well spent.

IF YOU GO
What: 24th Annual Rob-Con Comic Book Convention
When: June 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Bristol Mall, Gate City Highway, Bristol, Va.
Admission: $2
Info: (423) 929-8245 or (423) 274-0450
Web: http://www.mountainempirecomics.com

FREE MOVIES
Cool off, save your money and see a movie.
Make that three hit movies and popcorn, too.
The cold-themed series begins with “March of the Penguins” on June 27 at the Bristol Public Library in Bristol, Va. “Eight Below” follows on July 18, and “Ice Age” concludes the trio on Aug. 8.
The family-friendly movies offer respites. For one, there’s no charge for the movies or the popcorn. For another, as the summer is sizing up as a hot one, the Arctic-themed movies will give attendees a visual break from the blast of the sun.
Then there are the movies. The mesmerizing “March of the Penguins” won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. “Eight Below” features an inspirational story of survival amid the ravages of the Antarctic. Finally, “Ice Age” takes an often-stirring animated look at life during prehistoric times.

IF YOU GO
What: “March of the Penguins” (rated G)
When: June 27, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Bristol Public Library’s J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room, 701 Goode St., Bristol, Va.
Admission: Free
Info: (276) 821-6148 or (276) 645-8780
Web: http://www.bristol-library.org

MUSIC NOTES
Kiss Wal-Mart: Save the pucker-upping, but watch for rock legends Kiss to release its nearly completed new album exclusively via the gigantic retailer. Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley addressed the album on the band’s Web site this week.
“Eleven tracks, and it IS everything I’ve told you,” Stanley wrote. “It IS classic.”
Time will tell, but recall the Wal-Mart route taken last year when fellow rock legends AC/DC issued its latest album. Sales soared well past a million copies sold.
Celebrate!: A tip of the hat goes to the Blind Boys of Alabama on their 70th anniversary. The Grammy Award-winning gospel group formed in 1939 as the Happy Land Jubilee Singers from the ranks of the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind.
Haven’t seen or heard them? Well, by golly, what are you waiting for? The Blind Boys sing as if they invented the word excellence.
“We can make you feel what you don’t think you can feel,” said founding member Clarence Fountain during an interview from 2004. “We don’t do songs that say ‘darlin’, baby, you’re mine’ and all that. I like songs like ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Precious Lord.’ We’ve been blessed.”
Hear the Blind Boys at http://www.blindboys.com/sounds.html.
From gospel’s stars to Hollywood’s newest star comes country veteran Alan Jackson. Thanks to the tall Georgian’s long list of hits (“Little Bitty,” “Here in the real World,” etc.) and charitable work, Jackson will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year.
This week’s free MP3 downloads amount to a sextet of country tunes. Just go to http://www.countryweekly.com/freemusic for new singles from BrokeDown Cadillac (“Broke Down Cadillac”); Sean Patrick McGraw (“Fiona”); KC Johns (“Riddle to My Rhyme”); Veronica Ballestrini (“Amazing”); Jack & Diane (“Play for Me Baby”) and Broken Trail (“Show Me Where it Hurts”).
Want more music? Then head to the racks and stacks in stores now for this week’s new releases, which include Cheap Trick’s 35th anniversary-marking “The Latest,” Dream Theater’s dramatic “Black Clouds & Silver Linings” and Pete Yorn’s “Back and Forth.”
Coming next week, new discs from Wilco, Rob Thomas and Brad Paisely. ‘Til then turn the music up loud, keep on reading and by all means stay tuned for more Short Takes and Music Notes.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .