Jason Sitzes, Mat Herron, Stephen George, Aaron Frank, Caitlin Bowling, T.E. Lyons, Jo Anne Triplett, Jane Mattingly
July 23-27
Tom Mabe
Louisvillian Tom Mabe makes a return to the Caravan. This time celebrating television achievement: Mabes first episode of Mabe in America premiered July 4 on CMT to critical acclaim. Known for making prank calls to telemarketers back in the day, Mabe moved his act to the streets of America. Less offensive (to some) than Borat and more innovative than Tom Green, Mabe and his crew get White Castle employees to feed the homeless and expose lazy ambulance drivers (offending thin-skinned EMTs nationwide). His stage show includes new tunes and rants on every paradox and outrage that keeps America fascinating. Jason Sitzes
Comedy Caravan
1250 Bardstown Road
459-0022
HYPERLINK “http://www.comedycaravan.com” www.comedycaravan.com
$8-$12; various times
THURSDAY, JULY 24
Max & the Marginalized
Its hardly a surprise that the stock-in-trade of Max & the Marginalized is political rock. Max Bernsteins dad, Carl, and Bob Woodward helped bring down Mr. Dirty Tricks himself, then-President Richard Nixon.
Since its formation, M&MG has posted one song each week for 38 weeks, now online at The Huffington Post, the online rag of liberal pundit/writer/commentator Arianna Huffington. The first song the band ever wrote is about the death penalty, and since then the band has amassed plenty of charged anthems, including enough for an entire EP about Republican Presidential candidate John McCain.
We either record the song in advance, record the music before we leave or record the words from the road to keep it ultra current, says Bernstein, who counts Husker Du, Cro Mags and Bruce Springsteen among his influences. And theres certainly plenty to sing about. Mat Herron
Skull Alley
1017 E. Broadway
987-6765
www.skullalley.net
$TBA; 8 p.m.
All ages
THURSDAY, JULY 24
Thompson biographer William McKeen
Sweet Jesus, it must be Hunter S. Thompson season: Gonzo, a superb documentary about the founder of gonzo journalism and purveyor of artistic political homicide, came out July 4, right around the time rock scribe William McKeens Outlaw Journalist: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson hit bookshelves. And July 18, incidentally, wouldve begun the Good Doctors 71st year. McKeens in town Thursday to talk Thompson, dropping by Carmichaels for a chat to be augmented by a set from Southside, a band featuring poet Ron Whitehead, who romped with the Doc back in the day. Selah. Stephen George
Carmichaels Bookstore
2720 Frankfort Ave.
896-6950
Free; 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, JULY 25
The Mirror Stage at Pour Haus
St. Louis three-piece The Mirror Stage recently self-released their debut EP Ten Thousand Tongues to praise from music critics and aficionados across the country. The band blends indie-rock with folk and baroque, creating a powerful sound that has earned them comparisons to the Arcade Fire and Explosions In The Sky.
Lead singer James McAnally studied music in college, everything from opera to folk music, and exhibits some powerful vocal melodies on Tongues, with lyrics inspired by such writers as T.S. Eliot and Haruki Murakami.
The Mirror Stage plays the Pour Haus Friday, along with Louisville staples Brooks Ritter and Chemic. Aaron Frank
The Pour Haus
1481 South Shelby St.
637-9611
$TBA; 10 p.m.
21+
Monday, July 28
Schnitzelburg Dainty Contest
Some associate dainty with small and pretty, but residents of Louisvilles Schnitzelburg neighborhood go by the European game. Dainty, played with two sticks, requires the participant to hit the tip of the smaller stick with its larger counterpart. Once airborne, the contestant whacks the stick as far as they can. The furthest wins. The record for the furthest hit is 145 feet and 6 inches.
Live music and dancing follow the 38-year-old championship, always held the last Monday in July at Haucks Handy Store. Unfortunately, only those 45 and older may compete. The person who hits the stick the shortest distance must hop on one foot to the stick that went the furthest, explains Schnitzelburg Area Community Council President Gary Allen, adding that the loser must also carry a basket of lemons as they hop. Notable attendees have included Mayor Jerry Abramson and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (who won the championship two years ago).
Go Dainty or go home! Caitlin Bowling
Haucks Handy Store
1000 Goss Ave.
Free; 5:45 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
In high Cotton
Danielia Cottons second album starts with a clear and bold statement of purpose: Shes determined to Make U Move. The remainder of Rare Child spools out with repeated demonstration of Cottons ease at powerful belting in front of a band that fully rocks out. Its a bit more straight-at-ya than debut Small White Town so if you want guaranteed instant impact, enjoy the improvement. The slight skew toward songwriting/arrangement/production via committees, though, tamps down some of the spirited dimensions that, it is hoped, Cotton will bring to full life onstage. Shes got enough voice to carry to Indiana, but your best chance to check out this Jersey girl is to go down by the river for the next Waterfront Wednesday free concert. Cottons set should start around 7:30 p.m. Also on the bill are Dave Barnes at 6 p.m. and Shake Anderson at 9. T.E. Lyons
Harbor Lawn, Waterfront Park
129 E. River Road
574-3768
www.louisvillewaterfront.com
Free; 5 p.m.
Through Aug. 8
Build a Fire
Digital art has evolved like the other historical visual arts, influenced by comic books, video games and the other interests of the Millennials. Ilia Ovechkin, a Louisvillian now studying at Baltimores Maryland Institute College of Art, curated the exhibition Build a Fire. The show features videos, web-based art and two-dimensional works by Justin Clark, Petra Cortright, Thomas Galloway, Michael Guidetti, Jacolby Satterwhite, Will Simpson, Hayley Silverman, Dan Wickerham and Damon Zucconi.
Bryce Hudson, artist and owner of Plexus Contemporary, is receiving good buzz from the show. People are happy theres contemporary art in Portland, he says. Its modern art at its freshest, from artists just beginning their careers. Jo Anne Triplett
Plexus Contemporary
2318 Portland Ave.
767-8051
www.plexuscontemporary.com
Through Aug. 10
Hot Flash Fan
The scorching heat of these summer days leaves no one in the cold, particularly unhelpful for any women currently going through menopause. If one could find relief from the sweltering agony by simply viewing a masterpiece, then the Kentucky Foundation for Women and Spalding Universitys Huff Gallery have the answer: The Hot Flash Fan: Celebrating 160 Years of Feminism. The fan is an 8-by-16-foot fiber wall hanging, the first piece ever made to depict the inevitable end to that special cycle all women know and love.
Collaborating with 50 other female artists, Ann Stewart Anderson created the colorful fan in 1985, and this is the first time it will be on display in more than a decade. This interactive gallery will also provide visitors with an opportunity to add their personal feminine touch, with a timeline celebrating 160 years of womens historical achievements that gallery-goers can add to. Its a colorful way to look at menopause. Jane Mattingly
Huff Gallery, Spalding University
853 Library Lane
585-8811
8 a.m.-10 p.m. (Mon.-Thu.), 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Fri.-Sun.)
Through Sept. 6
Ewing Fahey & Lois Main Templeton
Good friends arent hard to find for Louisville sculptor Ewing Fahey and Indianapolis mixed-media artist Lois Main Templeton. The 80-somethings have been friends and colleagues for years, so theyre excited about showing together.
Both started their full-time art careers late in life. Fahey was the editor of Louisville Magazine, and it wasnt until 1977 that sculpture became her focus. Templeton was a teacher before graduating from Indianapolis Herron School of Art in 1981. Today she is one of Indianas top female artists.
Their perspective media and styles fit well together, apparently like they do. Jo Anne Triplett
Mary Anderson Center
101 St. Francis Dr.
Mount St. Francis, Ind.
(812) 923-8602
www.maryandersoncenter.org
This article appears in July 22, 2008.