Short Takes: A Glimpse at Weekend Entertainment

SPIKE LEE
Filmmaker Spike Lee provokes thought by massaging ideas via his sharp-eyed commentaries on society. Lee inspires. Lee angers. Lee opens eyes and ideally minds.
Hear the director of such acclaimed films as “She’s Gotta Have It” and “Malcolm X” when he speaks at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City on March 18. Sports fans perhaps know him for his avid following of the NBA’s New York Knicks.
But Lee’s name was made on the silver screen. Lee’s films helped establish such African-Americans as Denzel Washington as viable movie stars while focusing on race relations and relevancy in society. Taken as a whole, Lee’s films relate that we are created equally and should be treated in kind. Take this rare opportunity to hear a man who helped change the world.

IF YOU GO
What: An Evening with Spike Lee: America Through My Lens
When: March 18, 7:30 p.m.
Where: East Tennessee State University Memorial Center, 807 University Pky., Johnson City
Tickets: $5 for ETSU students, staff, faculty and general public on March 13-14 and 17; $10 on day of event
Info: (423) 439-4210

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
With spring comes warmth and baseball and yes, Easter.
And for kids with Easter comes the Easter Bunny.
Kids can have their pictures taken with the fuzzy critter on March 15 at the Bristol YWCA.
While there, they and their parents can also partake of a pancake breakfast, a bake sale and crafts fair. Make sure and call ahead for reservations.

IF YOU GO
What: Easter Eggstravaganza
When: March 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Bristol YWCA, 106 State St., Bristol Tennessee
Breakfast admission: $5 for adults, $3 for children under age 10
Info: (423) 968-9444

BLIND CORN LIQUOR PICKERS
Modern day old-timers might sound like an oxymoronic term. But that exactly describes the Blind Corn Liquor Pickers.
With acoustic instruments in hand, the five-person band will take to the Down Home stage in Johnson City on March 15.
Based in Lexington, Ky., the Liquor Pickers feature a sound with tinges of 1960s folk and bluegrass painted into their old-time sound.
However, their roots in rock and pop emerge via covers of such songs as The Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime.” They are not Uncle Dave Macon or Bill Monroe’s musical offspring.
Still, by applying creative song choice and arrangements, they manage to carve a style for themselves. Ask any old-time musician about that – not easy to accomplish.

IF YOU GO
Who: Blind Corn Liquor Pickers
When: March 15, 9 p.m.
Where: Down Home, 300 W. Main St., Johnson City
Tickets: $12
Info: (423) 929-9822
Web: http://www.blindcorn.com

BUCKETS AND TAP SHOES
Left-of-field music played on instruments, um, perhaps gathered in a field.
For those who crave oddities that actually work comes Ten Foot Five Productions’ “Buckets and Tap Shoes.”
Slated for March 17 at Emory & Henry College in Emory, the show features music culled from such “instruments” as tin cans, five-gallon buckets and barrels. Taps on shoes add to the rhythmic mix.
Founded in 1997, Buckets and Tap Shoes also incorporate actual instruments, including guitars and keyboards in creating their unique sound. The Minneapolis-based outfit led by brothers Rick and Andy Ausland blends hip-hop and jazz, rock and funk like no other musicians have done before.

IF YOU GO
Who: Buckets and Tap Shoes
When: March 17, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Emory & Henry College’s Wiley Hall Auditorium, Emory
Tickets: $10 at door, $8 in advance, $3 for non-E&H students, free admission to E&H students, faculty and staff
Info: (276) 944-6866
Web: http://www.myspace.com/bucketsandtapshoes

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

THERE'S MORE

Crooked Road Tour Coming to Wytheville
WYTHEVILLE – The Crooked Road Tour will perform at Wytheville Community College’s monthly Bluegrass and Old-Time Jamboree on March 15 at 7 p.m. at the George Wythe High School Auditorium.
The event is free.
The Crooked Road Tour features the music of Anderson-Strickland, Jimmy Edmonds, No Speed Limit and Wayne Henderson.
For more, visit www.thecrookedroad.org.

Classical Guitarist Joins JCSO in Concert
MILLIGAN COLLEGE– The Johnson City Symphony Orchestra will be joined by classical guitarist Matt Palmer when it performs the final concert of the 2007-2008 series. The concert begins at 8 p.m. March 15 in Seeger Chapel at Milligan College.
The concert will begin with “Concerto Elegiaco” written by Leo Brouwer, Afro-Cuban composer, guitarist and conductor.
Palmer, born in Fall Branch, will be featured with the symphony for this composition. Following intermission, the JCSO will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. This symphony was written during the time when Beethoven’s hearing was in serious decline and his spirits low.
For tickets: (423) 92MUSIC or www.jcsymphony.com.

Milligan Choir Closes Spring Tour at Home
MILLIGAN COLLEGE– The Milligan College Concert Choir will close out its annual spring tour with a concert at Milligan’s Seeger Memorial Chapel on March 14 at 7:30 p.m.
The group’s 10-day tour included performances at venues in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, performing various styles of choral music, from classical to contemporary.
The group includes 30 students from throughout the United States and Brazil.
For more information, visit www.milligan.edu/music or call (423) 461-8723.

Easter Passion Play to Open March 14
FALL BRANCH – One of the largest Easter production in the Tri-Cities includes more than 120 actors, live animals and 250 costumes. LampLight Theatre, Fall Branch, is getting ready for “Once for All” on March 14-16, 19-23 and 26-30.
This musical is a story that places the audience in Jerusalem to witness the life, death and resurrection of Christ.
Performances begin at 7 p.m. every Wednesday through Saturday with matinee performances at 2 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.
The suggested donation is $8 for adults and $5 for students and free for children unser 12. Reserved seating is available by calling (423) 348-7610 or visiting www.lamplighttheatre.com.
The Muses, Celtic Air in Concert at ETSU
JOHNSON CITY – East Tennessee State University will kick off St. Patrick’s Day weekend with a free public Celtic Concert March 14 at 7 p.m. in Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall.
The Muses, a female a cappella trio, sing a mix of Celtic, traditional Appalachian, Americana and world music.
Based in Asheville, their repertoire covers a wide range and includes original compositions, spirituals, soul numbers and songs from Ireland and Scotland.
Celtic Air delivers a high-energy performance of Scottish and Irish music.
It was founded by former U.S. Scottish Fiddling Champion Jane MacMorran.
For help with those with disabilities, call (423) 439-4223.

Ecuadorian Band Performing in Area
JOHNSON CITY – The musical group “Son4 con Yapa” from Ecuador will perform March 14 at 7:30 p.m., as part of the Music on the Square series at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center.
Tickets are $10.
The invitation to visit the United States was extended by medical and nursing students at ETSU who met them while working with Sister Cities International, the College of Medicine, College of Nursing and Office of International Programs..
For more information, call Carolyn Sliger, ETSU rural programs coordinator, at (423) 439-6737.

New Barter Play Takes Audience on a Journey of Faith, Family
ABINGDON – Experience a brother and sister’s journey of faith and family in Barter Stage II’s production of “The Road Where It Curves Away” through April 12.
Jimmy and Opal grew up together in a family steeped in religious tradition. Jimmy embraced it becoming a minister; Opal broke away. Now, Opal has returned and begs her brother to discontinue practicing the religion he embraces.
Will brother and sister find common ground, or will the observations of a professor studying Jimmy’s faith push them further apart?
The play by Derek Davidson was a winner of Barter’s Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights in 2004. A Barter alum, Davidson was a resident company member from 2003-2005.
Currently, he teaches English and playwriting at Appalachian State University in Boone.
Barter’s John Hardy directs. Nicholas Piper plays Jimmy, and Amy Baldwin is his sister, Opal.
Call (276) 628-3991 or visit www.bartertheatre.com