Local Scenery

Show up at Frederick’s Music Lounge from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, and be a part of TwangClips. Presented in conjunction with Twangfest and hosted by No Depression contributing editor Barry Mazor, the event features over 70 full-song film and video performances, many of them from private collections.

Chicago’s TwangOff, the battle-of-the-bands show that has continued to draw eyes and ears since the September 2002 start, has expanded to St. Louis. The St. Louis schedule, to be held at Off Broadway (3509 Lemp Avenue), is as follows: May 29: Mary Alice Wood and the Southsiders, the Roundups, and Jackhead; June 26: the Saps, Cumberland Gap, and TBA; July 30: TBA; and August 21: the first series of St. Louis TwangOff finals.

Missile Silo Suite will perform a rare acoustic set at Mangia Italiano (3145 S. Grand) on Thursday, June 12. Rich Williams , formerly of Fly From August, will be the opener. For more information, call 314-664-8585.

Tied2Art, the second annual Father’s Day tie show sponsored by vintageneckties.com, takes place from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday, June 14. The first exhibit is a fiber show at the Art Loft Gallery. There are over 60 artists, some of whom are following in the footsteps of Salvador Dali by handpainting ties. The second exhibit is a multimedia event at the Syberg Gallery in the City Museum. A Hullabaloo -sponsored fashion show will take place at 10 p.m. at the Syberg Gallery, followed by a performance from the Floating City. E-mail chris@vintageneckties.com for info.

Earl is currently in the studio recording the follow-up to their debut CD, Used. The album, yet to be titled, will be released later this summer. The band is once again recording at the Broom Factory with Mike Martin ( Tinhorn ), who most recently finished recording Jay Farrar ’s upcoming release, Terroir Blues (June, Artemis). Look for Earl playing live to get a sneak peek at the new material.

The Eric Ketzer Experiment (eKe) is currently finishing a new CD, Left Side of the River. Rob Woerther is producing it; he also produced Ketzer’s previous solo CDs, Lost Angel and Unfulfilled Desires. In typical Ketzer style, the CD includes a spoken-word poem; this time, however, it’s a ghost track at the end of the CD so it doesn’t affect the flow. Mark your calendars now for the CD release party on Saturday, August 16, at Cicero’s. In other eKe news, Joe Sherrell has parted ways with the band.

What’s new at the City Museum, you ask? For starters, did you know the City Museum is now open until 1 a.m. on weekends? Romp through St. Louis’s largest playground as you savor a bit of our city’s history. Over the summer, the museum’s parking lot will turn into an outdoor movie theater on the third Friday of every month. Finally, to book concerts and events, contact Steve Smith at ssmith@citymuseum.org for information.

Fairview Heights native Bradford Smith won top honors at the 2003 “Musical Echoes” Native American flute playing competition in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Smith performed his rendition of “Amazing Grace,” along with his original “Antelope Dance” and an improvisational song. For performance schedules and info, go to www.bradfordsmithmusic.com.

It’s showtime once again as the dancers take to the stage to dance for the animals in the concert production of Animeux de Danse, a joyous, energetic celebration of dance that is family-oriented and culturally eclectic. This one-time performance takes place June 21 at 8 p.m. in the Saint Louis University High School Theater. Its purpose is to provide a platform for local choreographers to showcase new works and assist in bringing a broader insight into concert dance to the St. Louis area while providing financial assistance and awareness of the many programs offered by the Humane Society of Missouri. Purchase tickets by calling 314-951-1568.

Cinema St. Louis ’s Andrea Sporcic is still trying to pay off those credit card bills after making her acclaimed short film, WeddingLaine . Join her for a fund-raiser on Monday, June 30, at the Bar Italia patio, where she’ll be hosting a trivia night on TV, music, and film. Tickets are $15, with lots of door prizes; you can bring your own drinks and food or partake of the cash bar. Call Andrea at 314-413-2634 for reservations.

Calling local artists: Art Coop needs a 30- to 50-foot outdoor sculpture for the back wall and some of the sky above its new home at 1620 Delmar. Entry to all Art Coop events will be from the back, and the work will visually identify the Art Coop space and its entrances from up to two blocks away. If you want to be considered, visit the site and submit a preliminary sketch or model by June 15. Questions should be directed to Don Erickson at artcoopstl@hotmail.com.

On June 18, the Mad Art Gallery is pleased to be bringing Found magazine founder Davy Rothbart back to St. Louis to read from his critically acclaimed book of short stories, The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas. Joining Rothbart will be Devon Sproule, whose songs tend to the poetic side of things.

Ed Golterman (the Kiel Man) has won his battle—partially. The Kiel Opera House will, indeed, be renovated and reopened. Rather than the open booking Golterman was advocating, however, the Opera House will be booked by Clear Channel/Fox.

My Two Planets’ Jim Ousley missed a couple of dates with the band due to extracurricular activities: playing Han Solo in the Magic Smoking Monkey ’s production of The Star Wars Trilogy in One Hour—Live!

Llewellyn’s Pub in the Central West End has brought live music downstairs again on Sunday nights, with no cover charge.

Webster University professor David Clewell has a new book of poetry out: The Low End of Higher Things(University of Wisconsin Press).