Oct. 22-26 Two ’tunities to laugh When “30 Rock” creator Tina Fey said, “Bitch is the new black,” her co-star and friend Tracy Morgan returned to his SNL role to respond, “Black is the new president, bitch.” Morgan, star of television (“30 Rock,” “Crank Yankers”) and such films as “First Sunday,” returns to his stand-up roots this weekend at Stand Up Live. A quick ride down Broadway and a right onto Baxter leads to the Comedy Caravan, where comic genius David Crowe performs this week as well. Crowe, whose one-hour Showtime special airs in December, is the only comedian in history to win the San Francisco and Seattle Comedy Competitions back-to-back. His social commentary hits first, followed by a physical outburst that makes Crowe an international comic favorite. He’s joined by Indiana native Kevin McCaffrey, a Ball State grad and writer for “Late Show with David Letterman.” —Jason Sitzes •Stand Up Live (Morgan: Oct 25-26) 441 S. Fourth St. 581-1332 $28
•Comedy Caravan (Crowe: Oct 22-26) 1250 Bardstown Road 459-0022 $8-$12
Oct. 23-Nov. 2 JCC’s ‘Angels in America’ Lauded as “a story that shines light on all the dark places in the human heart,” Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America” might be the most important play of the 20th century. A Pulitzer, two Tonys, a miniseries and an opera later, its urgency and relevancy have not diminished. CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center will present “Millennium Approaches,” the first half of Kushner’s epic tale of AIDS, love and religion in the Reagan era. Tickets are cheap and showtimes are plentiful, so you have no excuse for not seeing this new American classic. For those of you who like a little community dialogue with your theater, book your tickets for Oct. 26 or Nov. 3, when JCC will partner with local advocates to present “Wrestling with Angels” in the Linker Auditorium. Speakers from the House of Ruth, a comprehensive program for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS, will lead a discussion of the play, confront stereotypes and explore how to build a more tolerant and supportive community. The companion program starts at 5 p.m. and is free. —Erin Keane Jewish Community Center 3600 Dutchmans Lane 459-0660 $18 ($14 mem.); 7:30 p.m. (2 & 7 p.m. Sun.)
FRIDAY, OCT. 24 Not so Little Sharon Little went from waiting tables in Philadelphia to opening for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss at the Palace earlier this year. “It was, you know, an out-of-body experience,” says Little, who opens for Matt White at Headliners this weekend. “It leaves me speechless every time I think about it.” Her return trip will be more intimate, just her and one other member trotting out some acoustic-driven songs. An intimate show means the people she plays with should be on the same page. “Performing, to me, isn’t necessarily who is in the band, who’s on stage,” Little says. “It’s not about the amount of musicians; it’s about the right musicians who play with each other for the music and not play their parts. Anyone who refers to their music as their parts isn’t a great musician.” —Mat Herron Headliners Music Hall 1386 Lexington Road 584-8088 $12; 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25 Author Ricky L. Jones Believe it or not, there are some African Americans who have reservations about the prospect of an Obama presidency. One of the voluble holdouts cautious of Mr. Hope is LEO Weekly columnist and U of L professor Ricky L. Jones, whose new book, “What’s Wrong With Obamamania?: Black America, Black Leadership and the Death of Political Imagination,” may ruffle a few Obamamaniacs’ feathers. Jones’ book isn’t anti-Obama. It just isn’t the robust optimism and blind pride we expect from an African American. With a critical eye, Jones pokes holes in the hype while trying to locate Obama in the context of black leadership over the centuries. The inquiries and observations Jones raises might rain on the parade; he writes that black America has become “less progressive, more nihilistic and numb.” Still, what the book engenders should be noteworthy for a would-be presidency. —Phillip M. Bailey Borders Books 2520 Hurstbourne Gem Lane 495-6640 Free; 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 26 Agro-Art Show Most of us have been to a concert, art show or farmers market. This weekend presents an opportunity to attend all three at once. For the first time in Kentucky, the Mellwood Art Center is hosting an Agro-Art Show Farmer’s Market. This event is a melding of agriculture and art with plenty of tasty and entertaining fare. Organizer Scooter Davidson says, “When you go agro, the possibilities are endless.” The farmers will be sharing their fall produce along with many jams, sauces, jellies and meat from Kentucky Proud. A selection of food by PattiCakes Café (among others) will offer sandwich and soup lunches, baked goods, coffee and teas. Live music includes the young talent of Nora, Ben and Eli, and continues with several artists throughout the day. —Amy Berg Mellwood Art Center 1860 Mellwood Ave. 895-3650 Free; noon-5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 26 Jewish Festival of the Book Some surrealism, a bit of absurdity … most intelligent people have to view the modern world through such lenses — at least some of the time. In American literary circles, we have the likes of George Saunders, Jonathan Lethem and, more recently, Benjamin Rosenbaum. In Israel, Etgar Keret has employed his peculiar vision in media that have included film (for which he won an award at Cannes) and graphic novel — but he’s at his best with short stories. Louisville’s 2008 Jewish Festival of the Book kicks off with a reading by Keret at Congregation Adath Jeshurun. Not only is this a signing (featuring his recent title “The Girl on the Fridge”), but you get free dessert, too! The festival goes on with a very enticing and admirable variety of events that run through most of November. —T.E. Lyons Congregation Adath Jeshurun 2401 Woodbourne Ave. 459-0660 www.jccoflouisville.org Free; 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 26 Tennessee pusher It takes a certain level of fame and celebrity to be known only by one name. Few achieve it. There are even fewer country stars who do. But there is one who will be making a stop in Louisville soon — Dolly. Born in the hills of Tennessee, rising to become the duet partner of one of country’s most popular singers, Porter Wagoner, and then spreading her wings and taking off on her own, Dolly has always done it her way. Against conventional wisdom, she opened an amusement park near her birthplace and made it a success. Her name has been in lights around the globe, and fans of all types still buy her albums, including this year’s Backwoods Barbie. Under the wigs, make-up and plastic surgery — all of which she freely admits — she remains the same straight shooter she’s always been. Now she’s taking her music to Broadway by adapting her movie “9 to 5” for the Great White Way. Does the woman ever rest? —Eric Banister Louisville Palace 625 S. Fourth St. 583-4555 $85.50; 7:30 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 27 Stand next to the Fire Mato (pronounced ma-TO) Nanji’s first Jimi Hendrix album remains, to this day, a touchstone for guitar players the world over: Axis: Bold As Love. But the Great Slinger in the Sky’s music is not without its interpretations, and that’s part of what you’ll see when this tour rolls through. Stacked with a ridiculous number of guitarists, whose careers need little to no explanation, “Experience Hendrix” promises to be a tribute fit for any musician, let alone casual fan. Nanji, a Yankton Sioux from South Dakota, has family to thank for the introduction. His father, Greg Zephier, played guitar in the variety rock group Vanishing Americans and ensured his scion had the proper education of what it means to play electric. Like so many musicians, Hendrix’s licks creep into the work of Nanji’s own band, Indigenous. “You never really heard the fuzz or wah wah tone that he got (back then),” Nanji says. “It’s unexplainable. Nowadays, you don’t get people making that kind of music anymore.” —Mat Herron Whitney Hall 501 W. Main St. 562-0100 $45-$75; 7:30 p.m.
Through Oct. 28 Dortha Fazio Dortha Fazio’s stained glass depictions of women focus on “all the different ways women are portrayed,” she says. “They are a part of me and part of all women.” She’s showing two series in the gallery shop of the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, “Sacred Women” and “Darling.” “‘Sacred Women’ started a very long time ago. I came up in the Catholic Church (at the same time) my mother had a mental illness. The forms come from them. They’re very personal. I released a lot of that in a positive way.” The images in “Darling” show her “moving away from spiritual forms, more into characters.” Many are titled with names, while others denote an expression. It is her personification of emotion that keeps her panels far removed from the typical stained glass window. —Jo Anne Triplett Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft 715 W. Main St. 589-0102 www.kentuckyarts.org
