Page 2, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 3
www.theloaferonline.com
Volume 27 Issue #18
!"#$%&'()*+*,%$$*-%$$%./&*0*12%34)*+*5')%&36*7(.8'*0*9:;8(*<.=.>()*+*7"8%*?.3( 54@()*A(&%>=*+*,%$$*<.6*0*B).C'%8*D)3&*A%)(834)*+*A4=*EC)%=F$(*0*!'434>).C'6*+*<.)F*<.)G"(33( D2@()3%&%=>*+*A.@(*5.)3()H*DF(6*I%=8.%2H*7%&.*764=&H*?.#%3'.*7./#()3H*?())6*!.33()&4= 54=3)%#"3%=>*E3.::*+*J%/*I($$6H*D=26*K4&&H*I(=*E%$@()&H*<.)F*<.)G"(33(H*!.3*,"&&.)2 !"#$%&'(2*#6*5)(.3%@(*!"#$%&'%=>H*L=8MH*!M9M*,4N*OPQRH*J4'=&4=*5%36H*?S*OTRUV Phone: 423/283-4324 FAX - 423/283-4369 www.theloaferonline.com â&#x20AC;˘ info@theloaferonline.com e-mail: editorial@theloaferonline.com (editorial) adcopy@theloaferonline.com (advertising All advertisements are accepted and published by the publisher upon the representation that the agency and/or advertiser is authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof.The agency and/or advertiser will indemnify and save the publisher harmless from any loss of expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement,including claims or suits for defamation,libel,right of privacy,plagiarism,and copyright infringement.
Page 4, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
Brew Lovers Rejoice! The Official Guide to the Thirsty Orange Brew Extravaganza
Two years ago, who would have thought a giant orange holding a beer would become one of the Tri Cities beloved beer drinkers? “Brewski” is at it again for the Second Annual Thirsty Orange Brew Extravaganza coming up April 13th outside of the Mellow Mushroom in Johnson City. Don’t have your ticket yet? Why wait? VIP is close to selling out (or may be sold out by the time this article goes to print), and general admission !"#$%!&'()%'*+,"-.'/0!'!1%'2//)3' Craft beer lovers know this is the premier spring beer festival in the region and don’t want to miss it. Who would want to miss trying a Salted Caramel Porter, Lingonberry Saison or a Smoked Pistachio Beer? That’s right. The Thirsty Orange folk go way beyond 4)/5"2"-.' 6%%)&' ,/0' #(-' *"-2' in the stores. This is the place to try one of a kind brews. More than 100 unique and specialty beers will be represented at the one‐day event. Breweries from around the southeast are displaying the best in their craft beer. “We have more than doubled the variety offered at this year’s event. Part of that is because we love things that are unique, but the other reality is that brewers have heard about this event and they are asking us to be a part of it. They know we respect their craft,” said event organizer Stephanie Carson.
www.theloaferonline.com
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 5 Beer, Sample, Then Repeat Your ticket to the Thirsty Orange will get you a souvenir tasting glass for unlimited sampling of craft beer. You #(-' *"-2' (' #/74+%!%' +"&!' /8' breweries on the website (www.thirstyorange.com/ brewers). Among those bringing brew are Wicked Weed Brewery, Calf Killer Brewery, Oskar Blues Brewery, Wolf Hills Brewery, Saw Works Brewing Company, Studio Brew, Moccasin Bend, New Belgium and many more. General admission tickets ($32.50 in advance) get you access starting at 2pm on April 13th. In addition to the variety of beers, there will also be special infusions and tappings happening throughout the day. If you follow Thirsty Orange on Twitter, you’ll be able to track those announcements throughout the day on your Smartphone. Get your tickets while you can. If there are any General Admission tickets left, they will be $35 at the gate, so save money and make sure you get a ticket. With a VIP ticket ($52.50 in advance), you’ll gain entry to the event an hour and a half early at 12:30pm. You’ll be able to sample a very limited quantity of extra special beers including an Apple Pie Cask, Smoked Cask, Peanut Butter Cask – all from Lazy Magnolia Brewing. If that’s not enough, lookout for the Smoked Pistachio, Lingonberry Saison, Salted Caramel Porter and many more. VIP’ers will also enjoy a selection of hot and cold appetizers provided by Mellow Mushroom. VIP Tickets will not be available the day of the festival. Thirsty Orange attendees will also be able to sample and vote in the one and only Tennessee Iron Brewer Competition. A handpicked group of brewers have been given identical ingredients and are each allowed one mystery ingredient.
Page 6, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
The Sleeping Beauty
Kingsport Ballet Stages Signature Ballet, Celebrates 30th Anniversary
In celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary, Kingsport Ballet will stage The full‐length ballet The Sleeping Beauty. Public performances are scheduled for April 13th and 14th at Eastman’s Toy F. Reid auditorium. Established in 1983, the then Kingsport Guild of Ballet was under the leadership of founder Karen Gibbons Brown. The current leadership purchased the company from Ms. Gibbons in 1999, merged it with the sister performing company, State of Franklin Dance Alliance,
(-2' 7(2%' (' 80++,' -/-94)/*"!' :' Kingsport Ballet. The Sleeping Beauty was the *")&!'6(++%!'!/'6%'&!(.%2'6,'()!"&!"#' director, Valeria Sinyavskaya, shortly after taking her post with Kingsport Ballet in 2002. Ms. Sinyavskaya, who had an illustrious history as prima ballerina with Novosibirsk Ballet and Opera in Russia, and comprehensive teaching and directing experience around the world, came to East Tennessee from her post as master teacher with the International
Ballet School in Tokyo, where she also staged The Sleeping Beauty, blending the work of professional performers and students from the school. Kingsport Ballet’s production merges the work of dancers who come from throughout the Tri Cities, including Morristown and Knoxville, to train with Ms. Sinyavskaya, with the work of seven professional guest artists, hired to perform with the Company. “This ballet is a feast for the Continued on page 7
www.theloaferonline.com
Continued from page 6
eyes and ears and provides great appeal to children, as they can relate to its recognizable Peter Tchaikovsky score,” says Ms. Sinyavskya. Returning to the Kingsport Ballet stage as Princess Aurora is Reka Gyulai, originally from Hungary, currently a principal with Dance Alive in Florida, and her partner, Ramil Bagmanov. Vadim Burcui, originally from Moldova, will dance the role of Carabosse, the wicked fairy, and Oleksii Kuznietsov, also with Dance Alive, will perform as one of the cavaliers. Adriana Dew, a graduate of Kingsport Ballet and guest soloist with the company, will be once again dancing the role of Princess Florine. Performing Bluebird, her partner Sasha Vykrest with Columbia Classical Ballet is a frequent guest of ;"-.&4/)!' <(++%!3' =&3' >%?' *")&!' performed the Bluebird pas de deux in 2002 while a student under Ms. Sinyavskaya.
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 7
Kingsport Ballet company members, most of whom are 13 to 15 years of age and take
ballet class six days per week, make up a large portion of the soloists in the production. Many of the students commute from as far away as Morristown and Knoxville to study at the school. Tickets are available through Kingsport Ballet’s Facebook page, through their website: www.kingsportballet.org, or 6,' #(++"-.' !1%")' 6/@' /8*"#%A'' 423/378‐3967. Kingsport Ballet is funded in part by the Tennessee Arts Commission, under an agreement with the National Endowment for the Arts and the General Assembly. Outreach programs are funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Funds for At Risk Youth, the East Tennessee Foundations’s Arts Fund, the City of Kingsport, the Junior League of Kingsport, Holston Medical Group, among others.
Page 8, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
Artist Michele Warner Offers Oil Painting Workshop Cheap Joe’s Art Supply Signup Deadline: April 17th
Local Unicoi, Tn nationally known artist Michele Warner is offering an oil painting workshop at Cheap Joe’s Art Supply, in Boone, North Carolina. IMPORTANT NOTE: Deadline for signing up is April 17, 2013 on the Cheap Joe’s website. Here is the link: h t t p : / / w w w. c h e a p j o e s . com/michele‐warner‐painting‐ realistic‐animals‐for‐fun‐and‐ 4)/*"!9B0-%9CD9EC9EFCG31!7+ Workshop Information: Learn a step by step process to create a dynamic oil painting of an animal in this workshop. It can be wild, or your own pet. Given the importance of strong reference material, this workshop starts BEFORE you arrive! Michele will send you preparation material about lighting, mood, and how to photograph animals. Then, Michele works with you by email on choosing the best photos to bring for your strongest painting. When you arrive at the workshop, you will already have the right photo, correct size, and prepared canvas. Explore the wonderful medium of oil and how it is one of the easiest mediums for any level of artist to create the feeling of form, fur, and light. Learn to release any painting fears you might have and open up a new world of creating art. The class will also discuss commissions, selling, showing, pricing, and working with clients. Michele has been a professional artist for over 30 years . She’s a graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design, and studied classical *".0)%' 4("-!"-.' (!' !1%' H+(2%' College of Art at the University of London, England. In 2009 and 2010, she was chosen as !1%' /8*"#"(+' ()!"&!' 8/)' !1%' I-"!%2' Continued on page 9
www.theloaferonline.com
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 9 animal and the owner, and the love between them. Michele grew up loving animals. She began riding horses at the age of seven, and currently has three of her own. N%)'*")&!'B/6'?(&'8/)'('5%!'(!'(.%' *"8!%%-3''O1"&'B/6'(&'?%++'(&',%()&' of grooming animals helped her learn to paint them and understand people’s love for their animals. Her portraits of people frequently include their beloved pets, which makes the painting all the more valuable to them.
Continued from page 8
States Equestrian Federation J8*"#"(+' K/-,' L"-(+&' M(!"/-(+' Championships. Michele’s paintings hang in both private and corporate collections such as American Airlines, University Hospitals, Baylor Hospital, Boy Scouts of America, and many private homes. Her art can be viewed at www. michelewarner.com. Besides portraits of people, she has also produced many animal portraits, especially in the world of equine competition and racing. She travels throughout the US and Europe, working with clients to create art that will become cherished family heirlooms. She then completes the painting in her home studio where she also teaches workshops. Michele and her husband, also an artist, live on a farm in East Tennessee. She was a professional illustrator for years, before making the decision to change her focus to painting what she loves ‐ animals and people, for individuals, instead of books and magazines. In addition to commissions, she also teaches privately in her studio, and does out of town and local workshops. Michele loves to work with her clients to create art that is truly custom. As an example, horse owners often have lots of horse‐themed art on their walls, but not necessarily of their own horses. Michele’s goal is to #)%(!%'('4/)!)("!'/)'*"-%'()!'&!,+%' painting that captures both the
Page 10, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
The Blackberries Heartwood April 11th, 6pm
The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail proudly presents a Youth Music Performance Series concert on Thursday, April 11th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway in Abingdon, Virginia. The special concert, co‐hosted by WVTF Radio as part of Public Radio Music Month and the Town of Abingdon, will feature the Blackberries. The Blackberries are a youth bluegrass band from the Floyd Music School in Floyd, Virginia. The band members range in age from 10‐16 years of age and include Aila Wildman on *"22+%P'Q+"'R"+27(-'/-'7(-2/+"-P' Sam Mackian on guitar, and Laurel Brooke on bass. Their -(7%' "&' "-*+0%-#%2' 6,' !1%' ?%++' $-/?-' *"22+%' !0-%P' S<+(#$6%)),' Blossom”, which was one of !1%' *")&!' !0-%&' !1%' 6(-2' 4+(,%2'
together. They have been featured at Heartwood several times, as well as at the Chantilly Festival in Floyd and at many regional church and community events. This dynamic group, under the direction of Mike Mitchell, features players that are highly skilled in both classical and bluegrass genres and will explore cross‐genre elements in this unique performance. “Floyd Music School students have always studied their heritage music, and I have made sure that they are well aware of the fact that bluegrass and old time music is their birthright. They learn about the Bristol &%&&"/-&P' (-2' !1%")' *")&!' *"22+%' tune is “Wildwood Flower”. Our students also learn skills derived from a far older tradition, as my teacher and her teachers before were from the Viennese and German schools of music.” says
Mitchell, who is quick to point out !1(!' 1"&' *")&!' #1/"#%' "&' 6+0%.)(&&' music, but that he also enjoys his jazz and classical trios as well as 4+(,"-.'%+%#!)"#'*"22+%'"-'!1%'R%&!' Virginia Jam Band, The Recipe. “The Blackberries are excited to have the opportunity to showcase their complete skill set at Heartwood, and we will have Floyd Music School teachers and WVTF’s Cara Modisett on hand to
accompany them!” WVTF, based in Roanoke, is participating for the second year in NPR’s Public Radio Music Month (PRMM). PRMM is a celebration of music in NPR stations’ listening communities, and WVTF will be participating in and hosting a number of live events through April, as well as airing music‐centered features. Music at WVTF is now
on Facebook and on Twitter (@ WVTFMusic). The Crooked Road Music Series features youth music performers, as well as showcasing venues of the Crooked Road region. These events along with open jams on the 1st, 3rd, (and 5th) Thursday of every month are hosted at Heartwood. A complete schedule for the music series is available on The Crooked Road website at www.thecrookedroad.org or at www.heartwoodvirginia.org. The music series is sponsored by The Crooked Road, Heartwood, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway is located off I‐81 at Exit 14 in Abingdon, Virginia and features food, music, and craft of Southwest Virginia. Admission to the concert is free and donations will be accepted for The Crooked Road Traditional Music Education Program (TMEP). For more information on The Crooked Road Music Series call (276) 492‐2409 or email: info@ thecrookedroad.org. Photo Credit ‐ Deb Wildman.
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 11
www.theloaferonline.com
Dr. Ted Olson Writes New Book of Poetry Dr. Ted Olson, a professor in East Tennessee State University’s department of Appalachian studies, recently released his second full‐length book of poetry, “Revelations: Poems.” Fellow poets have had kind words for Olson’s “Revelations.” Jeff Daniel Marion said that the book “speaks to us in a quiet, restrained ‐and in many ways plaintive — voice of a journey, the narrator’s evolution through stages /8' (?()%-%&&' !/' *"-2' &/7%' abiding and deeply personal truths.” Maurice Manning, (' )%#%-!' *"-(+"&!' 8/)' !1%' Pulitzer Prize, wrote that the poetry in “Revelations” is refreshing, almost old‐ fashioned in that it is truly verse — as we understood poetry 100 years back — composed generously with rhythm and rhyme, and that
antiquated quality makes the gravity of “Revelations’ all the more subtle.” The cover of the book displays a work of art entitled “Luz” by internationally‐known Catalan artist Eduardo Arranz‐Bravo. The book was on display recently in the Arranz‐ Bravo Foundation, an art museum near Barcelona. The copy of “Revelations” was shown in conjunction with an exhibition “Arranz‐Bravo and the Book,” which showcases “singular book editions created by Arranz‐Bravo since the “60s.” Olson is the author of an earlier full‐length book of poetry, “Breathing in Darkness.” In addition, he is the author of “Blue Ridge Folklife” and of a forthcoming scholarly work on the poetry of Robinson Jeffers. Olson edited the music section for the “Encyclopedia of Appalachia,” and co‐ edited the award‐winning scholarly study, “The Bristol Sessions: Writings About the Big Bang of Country Music.” For his work as a music historian, Olson has received the East Tennessee Historical Society’s Regional Excellence in History Award of Distinction as well as an award from the International Bluegrass Music Association and three Grammy Award nominations.
Fruit Stand “I don’t suppose your dirt road goes from here to town?” It was sundown at a fruit stand. A calloused hand took my money for some honey without a word, then he answered: “Ain’t gone nowhere since you parked there.”
‐‐by Ted Olson, from Revelations: Poems (Celtic Cat Publishing, 2012)
Page 12, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
Jerry Saltz, Art Critic ETSU, April 15th, 6pm
Known as “a pillar of the New York art world,” senior art critic for New York magazine Jerry Saltz is a three‐time Pulitzer K)"T%' *"-(+"&!' "-' U)"!"#"&7' (-2' was named “Best Art Critic” by Time Out New York. The often‐ controversial art expert will be bringing his well‐published perspectives to East Tennessee for a free lecture at 6 p.m. Monday, April 15, in ETSU’s Ball Hall Auditorium, Room 127. New Yorker art critic Peter Schjeldahl says that Saltz “is the best informed and hair‐trigger liveliest of contemporary art critics, tracking pleasure and jump‐starting intelligence on the *+,3V Saltz’s insights are uniquely powerful and cogent, says ETSU assistant art and design professor Andrew Scott Ross, who was an advisee of Saltz’s at the Art Institute of Chicago. “My *")&!' 7%%!"-.' ?"!1' W%)),' H(+!T' was possibly the most important 20 minutes of my two years seeking an MFA,” Ross says. “He just can get to the bottom of the subject matter extremely X0"#$+,3'N%Y&'B0&!'('5%),'%8*"#"%-!' viewer. He sees so much and has been around a long time and he not only has stayed around a long time but he has stayed current. He’s very passionately interested in contemporary work and history … There are very few people out there with his level of expertise when it comes to
analyzing artwork. “He’s very controversial, as well. I think he’s interested "-' 6%"-.' (' 4)/5/#(!"5%' *".0)%P' &/' 4%/4+%' ?"++' *"-2' "!' %X0(++,' important and entertaining.” In March, Mary B. Martin School of the Arts and the Department of Art & Design co‐sponsored an artists’ panel called “Outer Regions,” focusing on creating art from disparate locales. “It’s great timing that we have this regional symposium in March, then we bring someone who is right in the heart of what’s going on in the arts community in New York City – opposite ends of the spectrum,” says art faculty member Anita DeAngelis, director of Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, which is also funding Saltz’s visit. Saltz also writes a blog and Facebook discussions that ()!"&!&' (-2' ()!' (*"#"/-(2/&' 5"%' to be included in, Ross says.
SW%)),' H(+!T' #(-' 2%*"-"!%+,' ."5%' a pulse of what’s happening in the most contemporary sense of art‐making now,” he says. “He’s a very potent person so even though he’s only going to stay 1%)%'('&1/)!'!"7%P'Z'(7'#/-*"2%-!' he is going to leave a mark that will be irreplaceable. Also he is a very candid person. Chances are, he will tell you exactly what’s on his mind … so I think the students ?"++'6%-%*"!'('+/!'8)/7'!1(!'"8'!1%,' get to meet him personally in a studio setting. Also, he’s been known to get students and people excited about contemporary art. He’s a spokesperson for it. ETSU’s art & design students will indeed get to have one‐on‐ one sessions with the Pulitzer nominee. “There’s going to be critiques with the students,” Ross says. “That’s a central interest for us. We’re hoping to have him meet with as many students as possible … The art world has become more complex and I’m sure he’ll talk about that. So unless you don’t want to know what’s happening, then I would show up.” Beyond his writing, Saltz has lectured at numerous prominent universities and museums across America, including Harvard, Yale, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and The Cleveland Art Institute. In 2008 The School of the Art Institute of Chicago awarded him an honorary doctorate. “He’s an amazing person, a very dynamic personality,” Ross says. “He’s a fun speaker. The biggest art schools and universities across the country have him as keynote speaker at commencements. There’s no more blockbuster of an event than seeing a Jerry Saltz talk.” For information about the event or ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, call 423‐439‐ TKTS (8587) or visit www.etsu. edu/cas/arts. “Like” ETSU Mary B. Martin School of the Arts on Facebook and Follow it on Twitter at TheArtsAtETSU. To read Saltz’s recent reviews, visit http://nymag.com/author/ jerry%20saltz.
www.theloaferonline.com
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 13
Antiques Return to Kingsport Civic Center April 13th, 9am-5pm
Many people in the area have fond memories of going to the annual antiques show in the Kingsport Civic Auditorium. Those haven’t been held for several years, but that is about to change. On Saturday April 13th, the First Annual Kingsport Spring Antiques Show and Appraisal Clinic will be held. Doors will be open between 9am and 5pm. Admission for the public is free. Expert appraisers will be on 1(-2' !/' 1%+4' ,/0' *"-2' /0!' !1%' history (and possible value) of your antiques. Appraisals are $5 per item. A wide variety of items will be on display and available for purchase. There will be antique and vintage toys, tools, glassware, jewelry, pottery, and much more. Since this is an indoor event, it offers vendors the opportunity to bring out more delicate treasures not seen in outdoor sales. For example, there will be rare books and publications, and vintage clothing. Our appraisers include Steve Ladd and Kenneth Depew, both of Kingsport and Norma Luttrell and Billie McNamara of Knoxville. H!%5%' 1(&' 6%%-' (' #%)!"*"%2' appraiser and a member of
CAGA since 1998. He has owned and operated Olde Tyme Auction in Kingsport since 1994. He has a wide general knowledge of antiques and vintage items. Kenneth specializes in advertising, sports memorabilia, and antique toys, but also has 30 years of experience and knowledge of general antiques. Norma has been in the business of buying and selling antiques since 1976, and worked with Fred and Mary McNamara in their auction house. Her primary specialty is advertising, but she also has a deep interest in cartoon and entertainment characters and related memorabilia. Billie is a genealogy research
specialist by trade with a focus on the family histories of East Tennessee. One of her projects is to locate civil war artifacts and return them to the family of the original owner. She is currently working to bring together the workers from the old General Hospital in Knoxville. Her specialties are historical documents and vintage jewelry. The event organizer, Bill Castle of Afton, has been around antiques his entire life, and remembers the old show. “I felt it was a shame we didn’t have a show in Kingsport anymore. With the rich antiques heritage of the area, it’s a natural.” For more information, contact Mr. Castle at 866‐831‐4296, visit HeirloomShows.com or on Facebook there are many details and photos at Facebook.com/ HeirloomShows.
Page 14, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
Greg Bissonette Holds Drum Set Clinic Campbell’s Morrell Music April 14th, 2-4pm
Sunday, April 14th, Campbell’s Morrell Music in downtown Johnson City will host a drum set clinic by Greg Bissonette. Admission is $10. There will be door prizes, a silent auction,
autographs, and special sale prices on all drum equipment. For more information on the clinic, please call 423‐929‐1083. Gregg Bissonette is best known for his ability to play in a
wide variety of styles. His credits range from the big band jazz of Maynard Ferguson to the hard rock of David Lee Roth to Britain’s loudest band, Spinal Tap. After growing up in Detroit, Michigan, Gregg received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas). While at NTSU, he played for three years in the famed “One O’Clock Jazz Band.” After graduation, he joined the Maynard Ferguson Big Band that already featured his brother Matt on bass. The band toured the world and recorded the Live in San Francisco CD. Gregg later moved to Los Angeles and that has been his home ever since. Gregg has played with James Taylor, Joe Satriani, Gino Vannelli,
Tania Maria, Brian Wilson, Robin Zander, Brandon Fields, Yarbrough & Peoples, Toto, Ray Charles, Don Henley, Electric Light Orchestra, Andy Summers, Linda Ronstadt, & many others. One of his favorite gigs came about in 1985 when David Lee Roth left Van Halen and started his own band that included Gregg on drums. They recorded three albums together: Eat ‘Em and Smile, Skyscraper, and A Little Ain’t Enough, as well as touring the globe extensively. During 2003 and 2005, Gregg had the “honor and thrill” of performing with Ringo Starr in promotional tours for the albums Ringo Rama and Choose Love. He has also toured with Ringo’s “All Starr” Band since 2008. Gregg played on Larry Carlton’s and Steve Lukather’s CD No Substitutions, recorded live in Osaka, Japan, which won the Grammy for “Best Pop Instrumental Album” in 2002. He also played on Santana’s Grammy‐winning album
Supernatural, including the tune “El Farol” which was named “Best Pop Instrumental” at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Another highlight of his career was being invited to perform on the Buddy Rich Memorial Concert and video. Gregg also has two instructional videos of his own, Private Lesson and Playing, Reading and Soloing With A Band , as well as the 2006 release of the 2‐disc DVD Musical Drumming in Different Styles (Hudson Music). Gregg has two solo CDs, Gregg Bissonette and Submarine, that he did with his brother Matt.
www.theloaferonline.com
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 15
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Adds New Dinosaur Exhibit for 2013 Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies announced today the opening of the new and exhilarating exhibit “DINOSAURS!” Ariana Richards, child leading actress who played Lex Murphy in Steven Spielberg’s C[[G' 6+/#$60&!%)' *"+7' W0)(&&"#' Park, and Commissioner Susan Whitaker of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development spoke today at the opening luncheon of the new “DINOSAURS!” exhibit. “DINOSAURS!” entertains and educates visitors about the era when these amazing animals walked the earth. It is the ultimate adventure in the exploration of the time presenting fully animatronic dinosaurs, a volcano, interactives,
and hands‐on activities. Visitors can experience being a paleontologist, enjoy scavenger hunts and utilize iPad stations with dinosaur facts, puzzles, and games. “We create a new exhibit each year to make our aquarium one of the most unique in the U.S. Since the opening in December 2000, we’ve had seven changeable exhibits, and this year we have added “DINOSAURS!” which provides our guests an opportunity to see and be mesmerized by some of the largest most incredible animals to ever inhabit the earth for 120 million years,” said Ryan DeSear, general manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. This year the aquarium also
expanded the changeable exhibit into other areas to showcase this amazing exhibit. Children can dress up in dinosaur and aquatic animal costumes in the Discovery Center. Special programs are being offered throughout the year including Dino Days, Dino Birthdays, DinoNight sleepovers, camp, fun educational activities, scouts, classroom & public programs. “Dinosaurs were one of the most successful groups of animals our planet has ever seen. Then they vanished, which make them so interesting to explore,” added DeSear. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the second most visited attraction in Tennessee, was voted the number one Aquarium
in America by TripAdvisor and Forbes Traveler named it one of the America’s Best Aquariums. Thousands of exotic sea creatures live in its 1.4 million gallons of water. The aquarium
is known for its amazing shark exhibit that features 11‐foot sharks and one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world. The aquarium is located at !)(8*"#' +".1!' \]' /-' !1%' K()$?(,' in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and is open 365 days a year. For information: call 888‐240‐1358 or see them on the web at www. ripleysaquariumofthesmokies. com
Page 16, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
MerleFest’s Hillside Album Hour and Midnight Jam Will Continue to Delight in 2013 Regular attendees of MerleFest ‐ presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 25‐28, 2013 – know that the four‐day festival offers myriad performances and activities. In fact, the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, that will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is known for its diverse array of music and happenings, which has helped MerleFest build its international reputation as a “must attend” festival. However, two events that occur on Saturday – the Hillside Album Hour and the Midnight Jam – have become so anticipated every year that many fans build their festival
schedules around both . . . and this year will be no exception! The Hillside Album Hour – where a revered or iconic album is performed live from start to *"-"&1' :' 1(2' "!&' /8*"#"(+' &!()!' "-' 2008, when festival favorites The Waybacks were asked to host a Saturday afternoon jam at the Hillside Stage. “Rather than opt for a standard approach, we decided we wanted to do something a bit more adventurous,” said Michael Nash, manager of the Waybacks and the man who helps organize the annual event. “The band’s guitar player, James Nash, came up with the idea of playing a classic rock album "-' "!&' %-!")%!,P' *"+!%)%2' !1)/0.1' bluegrass instrumentation, and The Waybacks
giving roles to all the players involved. The result was Led ^%44%+"-'ZZP'4%)8/)7%2'/-'*"22+%P' mandolin, banjo, Dobro, acoustic guitar, upright bass, harmonica and drums. SZ-' %88%#!P' !1(!' ?(&' !1%' *")&!' Hillside Album Hour; it was so fresh, so much fun, and so well received that MerleFest asked us to do it again the following year.” James Nash added, “On the one 1(-2P'!1(!'*")&!'_+607'N/0)'?(&' a whimsical, what‐the‐heck‐are‐ we‐thinking off‐the‐wall thing to do... but on the other hand, every musician on that stage poured heart and soul into that show. And MerleFest attracts the kind of music lovers who pick up on that, who recognize when the folks on stage are really feeling it, really putting themselves out there. I think that’s what +"!' 4%/4+%' 04' (6/0!' !1(!' *")&!' Album Hour, and I think that’s why people keep coming back to support this event year after year.” Since that time, the Hillside Album Hour has showcased the Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers, the Beatles’ Abbey Road, the Allman Brothers’ Eat a Peach and Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix. The Waybacks have also recruited the talents of such performers as Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush, Rob Ickes, John Cowan, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, Elvis Costello, Joan Osborne, Susan Tedeschi and many, many others. Each year, the crowds for this event have grown substantially. The hillside is packed with delighted music fans who gather !/' *"-2' /0!' ?1(!' (+607' ?"++' 6%' featured, always a closely held secret until the show begins. “Selecting an album each year is always both a fun and challenging process,” Michael Nash says. “Once we do decide on something, we begin to drop hints in regular intervals leading up to the show. As the Continued on page 17
www.theloaferonline.com Continued from page 16
years have gone by, we’ve found that we’ve had to make those harder and harder, as there are a lot of pretty sharp Album Hour fans out there. Seeing the creativity of their responses based on some pretty cryptic clues is a blast. We love how people have taken to the adventure.” So far, three clues have been given for the 2013 Hillside Album Hour: “This fabled recording studio is no stranger to the Album Hour,” “Two lost /)41(-&' *"-2' !1%")' ?(,' 1/7%PV' and “Check out our post in the Earth Sciences forum.” Think you know what it is? Leave your guess – or join the discussion – at the “2013 Hillside Album Hour Guess‐A‐Thon” Facebook page. As for the Midnight Jam, MerleFest fans will be thrilled to learn that the hosts of this year’s Jam is festival favorite Scythian, who continue to make waves every year, during the course of the festival, with the band’s delightfully eclectic, high‐energy performances. Scythian has played the Midnight Jam before, says band member Danylo Fedoryka: “A few years ago, when artist Casey Driessen was hosting, he invited us join the show. To be jammed backstage with a Library of Congress worth of musical talent was really a thing to experience. I recall standing two feet from artist Zac Brown, working out a piece with a conglomerate of musicians from random bands, and I was like, ‘Wow ‐ this is something you just don’t get to see every day!’” “The spirit of openness backstage is really encouraging; there is a sense that every musician wants to give the fans something unique and special,”
Scythian
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 17 he added. When asked about what Scythian has planned for the Midnight Jam this year, Fedoryka said, “This year’s Jam will be special ‐ no doubt. We feel honored to have been chosen to host, and will be harnessing the B"!!%)&'!/'4)%&%-!'(-'%-%).,9*"++%2' Jam. We’re excited about the lineup so far and will be mixing and matching players from bands such as The Waybacks, John Cowan, Jim Lauderdale, The Black Lillies, The Honeycutters, Pokey LaFarge and a whole slew of other artists. “Our theory behind the show is basically ‘think quick on your feet’ and ‘improvise,’” Fedoryka continued. “We’re hoping to do some mixing and matching that will stretch some people and give the audience some laughs and moments to remember. Once you assemble such a mass of talent under one roof, ideas are sure to pop up. So we have a basic idea of how we want the night to go. But, of course, we are also trying to leave some wiggle room to see if the night will take on a life of its own. That being said, you may hear one or two wacky cover songs or a soulful ‘murder ballad.’ One thing is for sure, we’ll make the Midnight Jam worth the price of admission!” This year’s Midnight Jam will continue to take place in the Walker Center. As always, a separate ticket is required and available for purchase by four‐ day ticket holders and Saturday‐ only ticket holders. Tickets for MerleFest 2013 can be purchased at www. merlefest.org or by calling 1‐800‐343‐7857. Additional details about this year’s festival lineup and other MerleFest information can also be found at the website.
MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of American music
legend Doc Watson who passed away May 29, 2012. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of music based on the traditional, roots‐oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old‐time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock
and many other styles. The festival hosts over 90 artists, performing on 14 stages during the course of the four‐day event. The annual event has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
Page 18, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
Patterson Barret Acoustic Cofeehouse April 14th, 10pm The past nine months have been both entertaining and productive for Austin‐based Americana artist Patterson Barrett. Z-' _0.0&!' ,/0' #/0+2' *"-2' 1"7'
playing at the largest Rodeo and Music Festival in Europe— Equiblues—where he sang and played pedal steel guitar and keyboards with four different (#!&' 20)"-.' !1%' *"5%92(,' %5%-!P'
including a show with musical chameleon Jim Lauderdale. A little later that same month he was in the home studio of his longtime friend and former bandmate Buddy Miller, laying down keyboard tracks for the splendid Buddy and Jim CD. In September he was performing with Lauderdale again, this time along with the North Mississippi All Stars at the Americana Music Association festival in Nashville. Then in October, Barrett released his sophomore solo
record, “When I Was Your Age…” The songs on the new CD examine the coming‐of‐age experience from a variety of viewpoints. “Watching and participating in my son’s entry into young adulthood inspired this collection of songs. Seeing what he was going through sparked my own memories of what I felt ‘When I Was (his) Age...’ and these songs are the result.” The music on the disc is solidly Americana, with elements of folk, rock and country evident. Notable guest contributions include legendary vocalist Bonnie Bramlett and Gurf Morlix , whose new CD, Gurf Morlix Finds The Present Tense, includes Patterson on organ. Now Patterson is out and about, spreading the words of his songs to anyone who’ll listen. He appears at the Acoustic Coffeehouse Sunday, April 14th at 10PM. And as a special treat (for Barrett, at least) the new CD’s inspiration, ETSU student Emerson Wells‐Barrett will perform with his dad. Visit www. pattersonbarrett for more info and music.
Adopt A Dog
Emma(female) and Elsa(male) are 3 year old Terrier mixes. They are very sweet and loving and would need to be adopted together as they are very close. They both get along well with other dogs. They have been spayed and neutered and are current on shots. To adopt Emma and Elsa call Regina at 423‐239‐5237
www.theloaferonline.com
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 19
Parks and Recreation MECC’s Slemp Gallery to Host Veenstra Offers Lifeguard Exhibition Certification Course <%#/7%'('#%)!"*"%2'_7%)"#(-'`%2'U)/&&' (ARC) Lifeguard this spring preparing you for future summer employment opportunities. Cost for the course is $125 and includes American Red Cross Lifeguard training manual, CPR mask, and /8*"#"(+'#%)!"*"#(!"/-3''O1%'#+(&&'"&'+"7"!%2'!/' 10 enrollees who must be at least 16 years old. Classes are scheduled for Friday, April 19 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM; Saturday, April 20 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Sunday, April 21 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Tuesday, April 23 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. All classes will be held in the Viking Hall swimming pool. Upon completion of the course and passing the test, the individual will hold ARC U%)!"*"#(!"/-&'"-'UK`9'L/)'!1%'K)/8%&&"/-(+' `%&#0%)a' b"8%.0()2' U%)!"*"#(!"/-a' _Q>' U%)!"*"#(!"/-a' (-2' J@,.%-' _27"-"&!)(!"/-' for the Professional Rescue. Those wanting to receive the lifeguard training must pre‐register by contacting Sandra Cole with the city’s Parks and
Recreation department at 423‐764‐4048 or email scole@bristoltn.org or go by the /8*"#%&' /8' K()$&' (-2' `%#)%(!"/-' (!' GE]' McDowell Street to enroll. Those who complete the course (-2' (#1"%5%' #%)!"*"#(!"/-' 7(,' 1(5%' !1%' opportunity for summer employment at !1%'#"!,Y&'N(,-%&*"%+2'4//+3
Mountain Empire Community College’s Slemp Gallery is now featuring an exhibition of the works of MECC Instructor James Veenstra titled, “My Friend Blue.” The exhibit, which will run until April 13, is located in the Wampler Library, on !1%'&%#/-2'*+//)'/8'`/66'N(++3' “My Friend Blue” features photographs printed with an alternative photographic process called cyanotype, which creates a blue tint. This process uses the same chemical reaction to produce an image as architectural blue prints. Veenstra said he has been drawn to the color and often uses blue to sketch his layouts for *".0)(!"5%'4("-!"-.&P'&/7%!"7%&'+%(5"-.'"!' showing through in the shadows of skin tones. James Veenstra teaches painting, drawing, computer graphics, art history, and photography as an adjunct in the Arts and Humanities departments of Mountain Empire Community College and the University of Virginia’s college at Wise. Raised in New Mexico, Veenstra learned of Mountain Empire Community
College through MECC’s Professor of Art Alice Harrington. Harrington and her husband, Jack, instructed Veenstra while he attended Illinois College as an art student. He later continued his %20#(!"/-'!1)/0.1'!1%'N/8*6%).%)'H#1//+' of Art at the Maryland Art Institute under the guidance of renowned artist Grace Hartigan. After college, he went on to create a mural department within a company !1(!' &4%#"(+"T%2' "-' 2%#/)(!"5%' *"-"&1%&3' Veenstra’s murals can be found across the United States and other countries in several private residences, institutions, and commercial spaces and are displayed in The Harborplace in Baltimore and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. James Veenstra has also appeared on HGTV’s Dreambuilders program. For more information on the Slemp Gallery, or the James Veenstra exhibition, please contact Gallery Co‐Director Alice Harrington at (276) 523‐2400.
Page 20, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
What’s So Funny About Being a Classic Movie Fan? Folks, I’m gonna get up on my soap box—which ironically is rather dirty at the moment—and clear up a few misconceptions
people seem to have about those of us who are young, passionate, classic movies fans. First, the biggest misconception people have about young movie freaks, is that we HATE modern movies. We don’t hate modern movies. Now, do I wanna go see !1%' 7(B/)"!,' /8' !1%' *"+7&' that play at the mega‐ plex? No, I don.’t Does that I mean I hate those movies. Nope. Outside of Michael Bay, who I’m pretty sure just presses a few buttons on a computer, and out comes a movie. I see plenty of modern movies, I just like the ones of a smaller, indie nature. Is that wrong? No, it’s not. I love movies.
Period. End of discussion! I just happen to be super passionate about the classic era of Hollywood. If I want to share a classic movie with you, it’s not because I think it’s better than what you like, it’s just because I get so excited by something I love, that I want everyone to get in on the enjoyment. It’s what being a geek is all about: “This is awesome, you’ve got to check it out!” O1%' 6"..%&!' )%(&/-' Z' *"-2' myself moved to write about this, is based on a—minor— argument I got into with a friend the other day. It began when I was mentioning to him that Criterion had just issued on Blu‐ Ray, the 1958 classic “The Blob”. My friend responded with a question that, frankly, gets under my skin in a big way. “I don’t understand why they do that. Why would you put older movies out on Blu‐Ray, they can’t look as good as new ones.” Why does this get under my skin? For one thing, I’m really tired of this new idea that if a movie is “old” it’s automatic invalid. No one applies that mindset to music—mostly. People don’t wake up and say “Oh, I would listen to The Beatles, but they’re soooooooooo old.” If you listen to music made before the 1980s, then you have no excuse to avoid movies made before the 1980s. Older movies look AMAZING on blu‐ray. Not all of them, as there’s so many variable to the mix. Does the negative still exist? If not, what elements can be used to make the master? Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch A Thief” looks stunning on Blu‐ `(,P'6%!!%)'!1(-'&/7%'-%?'*"+7&' I’ve seen on blu‐ray. Same goes for Otto Preminger’s “Anatomy of a Murder”. Both titles mastered 8)/7' *")&!' .%-%)(!"/-' G]77' elements. Ah, there it is! 35mm, *"+73' O1%' !1"-.' !1(!' N/++,?//2' wants to phase out. Now, here’s another misconception: I am not, I repeat, NOT against digital. I !1"-$'2"."!(+'(-2'*"+7'#(-'#/%@"&!' beautifully. Digital technology 1(&' 7(2%' *"+7' )%&!/)(!"/-' (-2' preservation—which I am passionate about too—more economical for studios. But here’s the thing that worries me about all digital Continued on page 21
www.theloaferonline.com Continued from page 20
movie making. We don’t know yet what the shelf life of digital is. What if in 20 years a massive hit movie like “Avatar” can’t be watched anymore due to !1%' *"+%&' 6%"-.' #/))04!%2c' R%' $-/?' 7/2%)-' G]77' *"+7' &!/#$' will last for at least 200 years. =/&!d"8' -/!' (++d#+(&&"#' *"+7' digital restorations, are printed onto new 35mm negative stock to make new masters for future generations. Film can capture a higher 2%*"-"!"/-' !1(-' /0)' OeY&' #(-' even show, and that’s what is used to make these new masters. Because even if the hard drive fries, there’s gonna be a negative of it around. Universal has been proudly talking of the new 35mm elements they made when restoring “Schindler’s List” for it’s 20th anniversary this year. Also the restoration in the digital realm allowed the team— who worked with Spielberg and the movie’s cinematographer, to go in and correct a few things that were always a little off. As in the famous shot of the girl in the red coat, where the color bleeds a little. There is such a thing as going overboard with digital technology *cough* George Lucas *cough*. DNR—Digital Noise
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 21 Reduction—is a process used to help smooth out dirt, and excessive grain in movies. Grain, is a part of *"+7d"!Y&' ?1(!' 7($%' *"+7' +//$' +"$%' *"+73' H/7%!"7%&P' people think it’s just noise in the movie, and I’ve seen blu‐rays where all the grain has been taken out. It looks—odd. Especially if the director and cinematographer wanted "!' !1%)%' "-' !1%' *")&!' 4+(#%P' purposely making it grainy to strike a mood. Now I realize that there are people who just don’t care. They don’t. They wouldn’t watch a Hitchcock movie if you paid them. Personally, I don’t understand how someone’s brain works like that, in the same way that they might not understand how my brain works the way it does. Movies are a part of who I am as a human being. Every time I share a movie with someone, I feel like I’m sharing part of my soul with them. Be it a genuine classic like “Casablanca”, or a +/?9602.%!' 2)"5%' "-' *+"#$' +"$%' “The Hypnotic Eye”. I’m going to get off my soap box for now, I realize that most of you are probably on the same
page as I am—or at least in the same ballpark. There’s nothing wrong with being a classic movie fan, or being a fan of modern *"+7&3' Z' B0&!' ?"&1' 4%/4+%' ?/0+2' get it out of their heads that something is wrong with me just because I really want them to watch “Double Indemnity”. See you next week, follow me on Twitter @ThatAndyRoss.
Page 22, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
Human Space Travel Nothing Like Fiction
If this is the Space Age‐‐where is it? What I mean is: Where are the once envisioned commercial trips to Earth orbit and a Hilton Hotel on the Moon? More than 50 ,%()&' (8!%)' !1%' *")&!' human was blasted into Earth orbit, our &/#"%!,' 1(&' 6%-%*"!%2' from the spinoffs of the Space Age, there is no doubt. But the actual rocket travel in our Solar System is pretty pitiful from what it was dreamed to become. This week is the 52nd anniversary of Russia’s Yuri Gagarin making that 1"&!/)"#'*")&!'/)6"!'/8'!1%'Q()!1'"-' a spaceship. And it’s the week when 32 years ago the Space Shuttle Columbia was blasted "-!/' /)6"!' 8/)' !1%' *")&!' !"7%P' beginning what was advertised as a new entrepreneurial frontier in space. After a few launches of the
complex Space Transportation System, the Shuttle was found to be complicated, expensive (-2' -/-94)/*"!(6+%' !/' +(0-#1' quickly. Prospective customers put their satellites on the tried‐ and‐true expendable rockets like Titan, and the Shuttle soon became just a space truck for the construction of the amazing International Space Station.
Meanwhile, the Russians kept improving their small Soyuz space capsule that could be crammed with three people, some supplies and very little room to move. First launched in 1968, the bulbous Soyuz spacecraft began with one, then two, and now three cosmonauts, Continued on page 23
www.theloaferonline.com Continued from page 22
evolving the the technology of the times during its history. Z-' EFCFP' M_H_Y&' *+%%!' /8' three Shuttle Orbiters were mothballed to museums. That left the 40‐year‐old Soyuz spaceship as the only access to the International Space Station‐ ‐built with 35 Shuttle missions during 10 years of construction. But the ISS is a far cry from the huge, double ferris wheel shape of the space station in the 1968 hit movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey. When that movie hit the theatres a year before the Apollo moon landing, the public thought such a space station and lunar bases in the Hollywood &#"9*"' ?%)%' #%)!("-+,' /0)' 2%&!"-,' as a human race. The movie sequel, 2010, takes space travelers to Jupiter and its large moons. The reality of human presence in space couldn’t be 80)!1%)' 8)/7' !1%' *"#!"/-(+' &!/),' in Stanley Kubrick’s two movies. Sometimes six crew members are on the ISS, and there are only three for a few weeks between the landing of one three person crew and the arrival of the next
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 23 trio, all aboard the disposable Soyuz spaceship. I’m reminded of my father commenting in the 1980s saying that when he was a kid in the ‘40s, the popular magazines portrayed the the future 25‐30 years ahead with helicopter ports in every backyard for “helio‐cars.” Though we’ve not reached the status of the cartoon “Jetson” space age world, the space programs have improved our lives in hundreds of spinoffs... one of the most noticeable being the “smart phones” in our pockets and purses. But any resemblance to a Star Trek type of space travel is barely in line with the 1950s fantasies of Buck Rogers and the like. In fact, the 21st Century space programs look more like Abbott and Costello Go to Mars! NASA is building a new, six‐person spacecraft called Orion, which looks just like the Apollo conical capsule, but &+".1!+,' 6"..%)3' ' J)"/-' ?/-Y!' *+,' astronauts until at least 2020, maybe later. Meanwhile, China has become the third nation to orbit humans, in a spacecraft that is
an exact knockoff of the Russian Soyuz. China has launched four missions, the last with a man and woman spending a month on a small cylindrical space station. The world’s most populated country has boasted that it is building large space station and going to the Moon. The only thing that will stop them is the same thing that undermined NASA’s plans for Moon bases‐‐ money and public apathy. Though every dollar is spent on Earth on materials and jobs, people have the impression that space travel is a frivolous adventure. Not so, when the mere existence of humans 2%4%-2&' /-' 0&' *"-2"-.' -%?' )%&/0)#%&'"-'('*"-"!%'?/)+2'?"!1'(' star that is destined to someday swell up and maybe explode. That’s billions of years away, but the real threat is a devastating impact from an asteroid or comet‐‐like the cosmic intruder that wiped out dinosaurs 65 million years ago. An outpost on the Moon or nearby asteroids would ensure the continued evolution of human beings. Another reason we aren’t booking vacations to Mare
Tranquility on the Moon is an understated one‐‐space travel is extremely dangerous. Though 18 astronauts and cosmonauts have been killed going to or coming back from space in four separate accidents, it’s really amazing that more fatalities haven’t occurred in the past 50 years. Particularly when you consider the 200‐plus spacewalks performed on the ISS, and the risky, eight Apollo missions to the Moon. Several American companies are trying to build reusable spacecraft that will take paying
customers to low Earth orbit, maybe even the International Space Station. But they are *"-2"-.' !1%' +%()-"-.' #0)5%' 5%),' steep, even with NASA’s help. No doubt, space travel is serious business, with little room for error, and mistakes costing millions of dollars in hardware and possibly loss of human life. Is the risk worth it? Just look around at the instant .)(!"*"#(!"/-'"-'#/770-"#(!"/-&P' entertainment and security that our 21st Century gadgets bring us. Then, you decide.
Page 24, The Loafer â&#x20AC;˘ April 9, 2013
www.theloaferonline.com Celestial events in the skies for the week of April 9‐15, 2013, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette. '
_4)"+'"&'/8*"#"(++,'Sf+/6(+'_&!)/-/7,'=/-!1PV''(-2'-/'6%!!%)'?(,' to celebrate than making plans to attend a free “StarWatch” program at the Observatory at Bays Mt. Park in Kingsport on the April Saturdays of the 13th, 20th and 27th. Starting with twilight talks at 8pm, area amateur astronomers will use their telescopes and binoculars to show the winter constellations in the west, and rising spring star patterns in the east. Astronomy Day activities around the world will be on April 20th. Another space milestone is also observed on April 12th, when world‐wide “Yuri’s Night” celebrations are hosted !/'1/-/)'!1%'*")&!'7(-'!/'/)6"!'!1%'Q()!1P'`0&&"(-'g0)"'f(.()"-3''N"&'C[hC'&"-.+%' orbit of the Earth in the Voskhod 1 spaceship is immortalized, as is Cosmonaut Gagarin, killed in a jet crash in 1967 training for a Moon mission.
Tues. April 9 On this 1959 date in space history, NASA announced the selection of America’s *")&!'S(&!)/-(0!&PV'&%5%-'2()%2%5"+P'!%&!'4"+/!&'!1(!'?%)%'6(4!"&%2'?"!1'S!1%')".1!' stuff.” Still allive from that famous “Mercury 7” are John Glenn, age 91, and Scott U()4%-!%)P'iDP'!1%'*")&!'(-2'&%#/-2'_7%)"#(-&'!/'/)6"!'Q()!13'' Wed. April 10 New Moon is today at 5:35 am, our celestial neighbor being above the Sun in !1%'2(,!"7%'&$,'(-2'"-5"&"6+%3''L)"2(,'?"++'6%'!1%'*")&!'%5%-"-.'!/'+//$'8/)'('!1"-P' crescent Moon in the western twilight. Thurs. April 11 On this 1986 date in space history, Halley’s Comet was closest to Earth, some EF'7"++"/-'7"+%&'(?(,3''O1%'7/&!'8(7/0&'#/7%!'"-'1"&!/),'?(&'*".0)%2'/0!'!/'6%' orbiting the Sun every 76 years by English astronomer Edmund Halley in the early 1700s, and he never saw it! Halley’s Comet will be closest to Earth in July 2061 Fri. April 12 g0)"Y&'M".1!P'('R/)+2'H4(#%'K()!,j''g0)"'f(.()"-'6%#/7%&'!1%'*")&!'107(-'"-' space on this date in 1961, orbiting the Earth once in his tiny, Vostok spacecraft before ejecting at 20,000 feet to parachute safely to the ground (a fact hidden by the Soviet Union until the mid‐1980s when American began training with Russians for visits to the Mir Space Station.) This is also the date in 1981 when !1%'*")&!'H4(#%'H10!!+%P'U/+076"(P'?(&'+(0-#1%2P'6%."--"-.'('GF9,%()'%)('/8'CGG'
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 25 &0##%&&80+'&4(#%'*+".1!&P'(-2'!?/'2%(2+,'8("+0)%&3' Sat. April 13 Looking north is the Big Dipper standing on its three‐star handle, the two outer stars of its four‐star bowl pointing to Polaris, the North Star. As the night wears on, the Big Dipper moves higher in the sky emptying its contents on landscape below. Sun. April 14 The crescent Moon and Jupiter team up in the early evening sky, a beautiful sight with the Pleiades star cluster on one side and the bright, red star Aldebaran on the left side‐‐all the celestial objects in Taurus the Bull. Mon. April 15 When the night is dark at 9 pm, the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, is blazing directly south. But in just a few hours, it is dipping toward the western horizon, yielding its position in the south to the sprawling constellation Virgo and its bright star, Spica. Mercury 7 Astronauts
Page 26, The Loafer â&#x20AC;˘ April 9, 2013
www.theloaferonline.com
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 27
G.I. Joe: Retaliation If you are a Channing Tatum fan, don’t get excited about seeing much of the actor in the -%?' *"+7' Sf3Z3' W/%A' `%!("+(!"/-VP' (SPOILER ALERT) because the (#!/)' "&' ./-%' ?"!1"-' !1%' *")&!' GF' minutes of the movie. Not since !1%' *"+7' SH"2%' Q88%#!&V' 1(&' !1%' actor disappeared so quickly. I hope the “Magic Mike” star plans on staying around a bit longer in 1"&'-%@!'*"+73' Tatum’s brief appearance aside, “G.I. Joe: R” is a sequel to the 2009 release “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra”, which to be honest, I don’t remember that much about. As with the “Transformers” series, the G.I. W/%' *"+7&' ()%' 6(&%2' /-' (' 8(7/0&' !/,'+"-%P'&/'7/&!'*"+7'8(-&'&1/0+2' know what there’re getting into. If you become upset about
the quick disposal of Tatum, never fear, as The Rock, a.k.a. Dwayne Johnson is on hand as a Joe know as Roadblock, and I will say this man could block any road. Johnson is in such impressive shape physically he almost doesn’t seem real, which is appropriate since he is 4/)!)(,"-.'(-'(#!"/-'*".0)%3' Plot‐wise, after the departure of Duke (Tatum), Roadblock is left in charge on the Joes, who have been betrayed by the U.S. government, and left for dead. While this may seem a shocking turn of events, we discover all is not as it seems in the White House, and the G.I. Joes ()%' &//-' *".1!"-.' 8/)' !1%")' +"5%&' against the Cobra Commander (Luke Bracey). As with any good villain,
Cobra Commander has a plot to rule the world, and has devised the perfect plan to do so. The citizens of the world need not fear however, as the Joes ?"++' *".1!' !/' !1%' 2%(!1' to thwart the Cobra’s plans. Joining Roadblock in his mission are various other Joes, including Snake Eyes (Ray Park), Flint (D.J. Cotrona), Jaye (Adrianne Palicki), Jinx (Elodie Yung), Storm Shadow (Byung‐ hun Lee), and veteran Joe General Joe Colton (Bruce Willis). The battle between the Joes and Cobra climaxes with a showdown during an international summit held at Fort Sumter, S.C (!). I did enjoy the banter between Johnson and Willis, and the two have a nice screen chemistry. The action sequences are exciting, and I especially enjoyed a well staged sequence in the mountains where the characters ?%)%' *+,"-.' 8)/7' 4%($' !/' 4%($' with the aid of cables.
Director Jon M. Chu (“Step Up 2: The Streets”) keeps the (#!"/-' *+/?"-.' (!' (' &!%(2,' 4(#%P' (-2' $%%4&' !1%' *"+7' !".1!' ?"!1' (' running time under two hours. As I have mentioned in this column before, I am hit and miss
?"!1'!1%'G9>'8/)7(!P'60!'!1"&'*"+7' is aided by donning the glasses. L/)' (' *"+7' 6(&%2' /-' (' +"-%' /8' toys, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” is pure pop fun, so go into the theater expecting nothing more and you will be pleased. (Rated PG‐13) B
Page 28, The Loafer â&#x20AC;˘ April 9, 2013
www.theloaferonline.com
April 9, 2013 • The Loafer, Page 29
Singers of United Lands Rogersville April 10-12
The Rogersville Arts Council, along with Cherokee and Volunteer High Schools are bringing the international music of “Singers of United Lands” to Hawkins County, April 10‐12. The group will visit the high schools during the day and a public concert at is planned on Friday, April 12. The mission of S.O.U.L. is developing international and cultural relationships through vocal music from around the world. “I have hosted the S.O.U.L. groups for four years and each year the musical professionalism and exemplary personal qualities of the singers have impressed me”, says Guerry McConnell of the Rogersville Arts Council. This is the second year S.O.U.L. has visited Hawkins County high schools. The professionalism and personalities of the last year’s group was so impressive, the students and teachers asked for an expanded visit for a full day with classroom visits. Singers of United Lands kH3J3I3b3l' "&' (' -/-94)/*"!' (501.c.3) organization that was incorporated in 2002, and presents a unique quartet of professional young adult
singers‐ each from a different country. Every year a new team of four singers representing high‐quality vocal m u s i c i a n s h i p , geographical diversity, and enthusiasm for sharing about their respective cultures, is formed to share their native songs and cultures with schools and communities throughout the U.S. and beyond. This year the group is made up of singers Maria from Guatemala, John from Ireland, My‐Leen from The Philippines and Evgeny from Russia. The group travels for 6 months throughout the Eastern United States and into Africa bringing multicultural education and communication to their audiences There will be a public concert on Friday night, April 12, 7:00pm at the First Baptist Church, Rogersville with a Q&A session afterwards. The ticket price is $10. per adult, $5. for seniors and students. For more information or to make reservations, call the Rogersville Arts Council, 423‐293‐0882; and check ‐ https://www.facebook.com/ rogersvilleartscouncil ‐ for future plays and programs.
Page 30, The Loafer • April 9, 2013
The Ocean Is Too Loud: A Fresh Look at the Wonderful World of Conspiracy Theories
Finding topics to write about each week is a pretty easy task, because we are constantly surrounded by so much interesting and oftentimes bizarre stuff. Narrowing it all down into a manageable 900‐ 1000 word column is the tricky part, along with trying to avoid getting sidetracked by other interesting, albeit sometimes related tidbits of information. Like a fascinating, yet frustrating piece I came across in The N08*"-.!/-'K/&!'(6/0!'#)0"&%'&1"4' passenger complaints. I’m not talking about the recent spate of cruise ships that have turned into nightmare excursions for passengers without power and *+0&1(6+%' !/"+%!&3' O1/&%' ()%' )%(+' (-2' 5%),' B0&!"*"(6+%' #/74+("-!&P' of course, and not quite on the same level as the cruise ship passenger who complained that the ocean was “too loud.” I guess this person was disappointed ?1%-'!1%,'#/0+2-Y!'*"-2'(-'/#%(-' volume control in their luxury cabin. How dare the cruise company allow the sounds of nature to interfere with a perfect vacation getaway. Right? Another ridiculous complaint was lodged by a couple who were distraught that their ship didn’t resemble the interior of the Titanic as
depicted in James Cameron’s movie. Where is that iceberg now that we need it? _!' *")&!' .+(-#%P' !1%' /#%(-' volume complaint might seem unrelated to my original conspiracy theory topic, but after thinking about it, I reasoned that the same people who believe the moon landing was faked might be the same people who complain about the sound of the ocean or the un‐Titanic‐like appearance of their ship while on a cruise. So let’s see where this leads. Last week The Wall Street Journal reported the results of a February registered‐voter poll (representing 1,247 responses) conducted by Public Policy Polling that plumbed the depths of American belief in conspiracy theories—a perennial topic of interest. This poll follows on the heels of a January poll that “found Americans have a higher opinion of colonoscopies than they do of Congress.” No surprise there, of course. In any event, the new poll analyzed American opinions about a wide array of conspiracy theories ranging from *+0/)"2(!%2'2)"-$"-.'?(!%)'!/'!1%' whereabouts of the still‐alive Osama Bin Laden (hint: he’s with !1%' *+%%"-.' 8/)7%)' f/5%)-/)' /8' Woodbury).
Here are a few of the conspiracy theory statistics gathered from last month’s Public Policy Poling project. Following a well‐worn path leading from the late 1940s, 9% of those polled believe S*+0/)"2%' "&' (22%2' !/' 2)"-$"-.' water for sinister reasons,” but a measly 4% believe “shape‐ shifting lizard people control the world.” Wouldn’t the world be a more interesting place if they did? Refusing to let go of a pretty dead issue, just over half of the respondents still believe JFK was the victim of an organized conspiracy and not the work of a lone gunman or a few shape‐ shifting lizard people; on second thought, aren’t those webs we &%%' B/"-"-.' W(#$' `06,Y&' *"-.%)&' as he pulls the trigger of the gun that killed Lee Harvey Oswald? Moving on to larger matters, 37% believe that global warming is a hoax and 20% believe autism is linked to childhood vaccinations; interestingly but not surprisingly, these opinions are split down party lines. I am incredulous that only 7% believe the 1969 moon landing was hoax, but not surprised that nearly a quarter of the respondents still believe that a UFO landed in Roswell, NM, in 1947 and that the government is still involved in a conspiracy to
cover up the existence of the alien bodies that were found there (remember the Alien Autopsy movie of a few years back?). The moon‐landing hoax believers might see an increase in their numbers, however, following the release of the controversial new movie, Room 237, which puts forth the theory that movie director Stanley Kubrick, who was hired in 1969 to fake the landing at his English studios, confessed to the dirty deed by planting clues in his 1980 movie The Shining. This list can go on and on, of course, and conspiracy theorist will continue to believe what they will despite factual evidence to the contrary—“factual” evidence that, in their minds, conclusively proves the existence of the conspiracy after we take into consideration that this evidence has been faked or planted to divert attention away from the conspiracy. Keep in mind that there is no way to convince a conspiracist that his or her theory is wrong. For a fascinating, yet very scary journey into the minds of conspiracy theorists and their refusal to believe the facts, I suggest you read Jon Ronson’s 2002 book Them: Adventures With Extremists. According to David Aaronovitch, whose provocative 2010 book, Voodoo Histories: The Role of Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History, just 7".1!' 6%' !1%' 2%*"-"!"5%' work on the subject, conspiracy theories are popular because they make their believers feel important and privy to privileged information. Also, conspiracy theories appeal most to people who are members of groups that feel threatened by forces beyond their control
(and that includes a heck of a lot of people these days). More important, conspiracy theorists are united in their belief in a conspiracy of facts that, as mentioned above, show them the “truth” that so‐called factual information has been fabricated to hide the true conspiracy. And so we go round and round and end up where we started—in a shadow world where up is down, hot is cold, and right is wrong. In this topsy‐turvy world, lone gunmen don’t exist, science tells lies, and the moon’s surface still remains pristine (and perhaps made of cheese). So, is it likely that a person who goes on a cruise and complains about the noise of the ocean is more likely to believe that *+0/)"2(!%2' ?(!%)' "&' (' !%))/)"&!' (aka communist, socialist, liberal, feminist, global‐warming) plot to make us sterile or senile? You be the judge. I will leave you to contemplate all these strange and wonderful things until next week. Remember that paranoia is !1%'*+"4'&"2%'/8'!)0&!3'_-2P'4+%(&%' turn down the volume before you leave. The ocean is giving me a headache.
www.theloaferonline.com
April 9, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Loafer, Page 31
Page 32, The Loafer â&#x20AC;˘ April 9, 2013
www.theloaferonline.com