The PopCulteer
April 19, 2013

Once again this weekend the Charleston area has an embarassment of riches, with concerts, plays, art events and all kinds of other neat stuff going on all over town. Your PopCulteer is a little under the weather, besiged by evil pollen, so we’re going to run down some of the highlights and then present yet another truncated ArtWalk photo essay before we retreat once more into our Benadryl-fueled haze.

Dr Sketchy’s

Sunday, Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School returns to Kanawha Players Theater at 7 PM with a special Battlestar Galactica themed evening of live drawing and photography. The models this month include your PopCulteer’s imaginary daughter, Kitty Killton and Leo Tuxedo, with other surprise models to be sprung on us as the evening progresses. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 at the door. This is a 21 and up BYOB event.

Rubber Soul

Charleston’s Beatle tribute band Rubber Soul takes to the stage at the Alban Arts and Conference Center Friday and Saturday night at 8 PM. This time around, the band will present the Beatles “Magical Mystery Tour” album in its entirity, along with a collection of other Beatles classics. This should be a great night and lots of fun for the die-hard Beatle fan as we will be treated to some of the lesser-performed Beatles tunes such as “Flying,” “Your Mother Should Know,” “Baby You’re a Rich Man,” and “Blue Jay Way.” This show is a benefit for the American Heart Association and all tickets are $12.

Not only does Rubber Soul put on an evening of Beatle music with creative and original arrangements of Beatle classics, instead of cheesy imitations, but the tickets are considerably less expensive than any hypothetical touring group of wig-wearing imitators coming to, say, a certain unnamed arts center with a big, goofy metal thing in front.

Broadway Bound

The Charleston Gay Men’s Chorale is “Broadway Bound” this Saturday at 7:30 PM at the LaBelle Theater in South Charleston. The Chorale presents a musical revue of classic Broadway tunes and are joined by the WomanSong chorale for four songs. General admission for the concert is free, but limited VIP packages are available for $25. The VIP packages grant preferred seating and admission to a pre-show reception and details for how to order the VIP package can be found at The Charleston Gay Men’s Chorale Facebook page.

The Sugar Bean Sisters

Kanawha Players presents “The Sugar Bean Sisters” Friday and Saturday at 8 PM with a matinee Sunday at 2 PM at the Kanawha Players Theater. Your PopCulteer is not terribly familiar with this show but his fiancee’ Melanie Larch, is and so, I now turn over temporary control of The PopCulteer to Melanie.

Since my upcoming role as Claire in Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance” ” at the Alban Arts Center meant I wouldn’t be able to see “The Sugar Bean Sisters” during its run, I asked if I could attend a dress rehearsal. The KP folks were gracious enough to let me sit in on their final dress.

Written by Nathan Sanders, “The Sugar Bean Sisters” is a sweet mix of alien abductions, Mormons, mysterious visitors, and snakes. The six member cast, under the direction of newcomer Naomi Carder, had me laughing and even shedding a few tears as this Southern Gothic tinged tale unfolded. It’s a fun show and you should head on down to Kanawha Players to check it out. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for children under 18 and students with ID.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled PopCulteer.

No Pants Players

The No Pants Players, West Virginia’s premier improv comedy troupe, presenting “The 420 Comedy High” following a sold-out performance in February, return to the stage Saturday for an adults only performance at The Walker Theater, located in the Clay Center. RFC guests, Watt 4, will play from 7:30 – 8:00PM. At 8:00PM, the No Pants Players take the stage for their unique brand of comedy. This is an adult show, sure to be filled with dirty, dirty, shameful comedy, the kind most folks like. Here’s a video promo…

Tickets are $15 and are available online at www.nopantsplayers.com. Tops Off Barber Shop & Salon (229 Hale Street, Charleston, WV) is the official sponsor of the show. Adult beverages will also be available, provided by Embassy Suites.

ArtWalk Photo Essay

What follows is the second consecutive shortened ArtWalk photo essay, truncated this time by your PopCulteer being accosted by a gang of tough, inner city pollen. I hope to be at full strength next month, folks.

The Purple Moon

A mix of cool Atomic Age antiques, Industrial furniture and new work, including jewelry by Damienne Dibble was on display at The Purple Moon.

Art Emporium

Art Emproium presents Color Flows, the art of Homaira Ahmed.

Stray Dog Antiques

There is a great mix of fresh art, vintage clothing and classic antiques at Stray Dog Antiques on Hale Street.

Good News Mountaineer Garage Gallery

Allied Artists was at GNMGG, but I was there in the early afternoon and could only peek in the windows at the cool pottery of Patricia Fox.

Tops Off Barber Shop

Lastly, before our allergies became unbearable, we spotted the Tops Off van on Hale Street, and had to snap a c ouple of photos, since it’s a work of art itself.

 

More Stuff To Do

Friday

The Bark-o-Loungers will be performing at Bruno’s on Leon Sullivan Way beginning at 9 PM, with no cover. Also beginning at 9 PM, but with a $5 cover, Comparsa brings their hot Latin music to Sam’s Uptown Cafe. Renegade Mary makes their debut 10 PM at Smiley’s Lounge on MacCorkle Avenue near St. Albans. 10 PM sees P.D. Bird and Friends take the stage at The Boulevard Tavern, with a $5 cover.

And there’s this at The Empty Glass…

Saturday

It’s finger style guitar madness at 7:30 at the Davis Fine Arts Theater at WV State University as Italian geetar master Peppino D’Astino and Charleston geetar master Spencer Elliot thrill the audience with their fine finger picking style. RFC guests Farnsworth team up with Year of October and Echo Light Wave Unspeakable at Sam’s Uptown Cafe at 9 PM, with a $5 cover. Five dollars also gets you in the door around the corner at The Boulevard Tavern, where, at 10 PM Qiet unleashes their multi-faceted musical onslaught. Time and Distance, with Blue Ring and The Red Lights, hit the stage at The Empty Glass at 10 PM for what we hope turns out to be a Radio Free Charleston taping session. The cover charge is the world famous $7/$5 sliding EG cover.

That’s it for this week in PopCult. It all starts over again with Sunday Evening Video and all our regular features. Radio Free Charleston will return on April 29!