Rudy Panucci On Pop Culture

Month: February 2017 (Page 1 of 5)

A Wordless Radio Free Charleston Takes To The AIR

rfc-2-23It’s Tuesday and that means it’s time for a brand-new Radio Free Charleston on The AIR! Tune in at the website, or on this handy embedded radio player…

Tuesday at 10 AM and 10 PM Radio Free Charleston brings you an hour of instrumental local music from folks like Chuck Biel, Frank Panucci, A Flying Fortress, C2J2 and more. This week we’re showcasing the virtuoso musicians in our local scene and letting them take center stage as the singers take the week off.

You can hear Radio Free Charleston’s unique mix of different genres of local music Tuesday at 10 AM and 10 PM, Thursday at 5 PM, Saturday at 10 AM and Midnight and Sunday at 9 PM, exclusively on The AIR. Check out This week’s Playlist right here…

Chuck Biel  “Thufir Hawat”
Scrap Iron Pickers  “Iron Bucket”
Frank Panucci  “A Call To Inaction”
Deni Bonet  “BBC2”
A Flying Fortress  “When In Rome”
Ryan Kennedy  “Three Pieces by Franciso Tarrega”
Beat To Death  “I Can’t Breathe”
The Fat N Sassy Band  “Breathe”
David Synn “Harlequin’s Last Dance”
C2J2  “The Fallen”
The Panucci Brothers  “Dancing Midget Spider-man Fantasia”

Monday Morning Art: Sky Lines

sky-lines

 

We wrap up abstract month here in Monday Morning Art with “Sky Lines,” yet another digital abstract painting. In case you’re wondering, the answer is “yes.” I do the paintings first, then come up with a name for them. Often the name has nothing to do with my original intent. That’s how this art things works. It’s all basically a crap shoot. Click the image to take a closer look.

And while you’re at it, just to remind you guys, PopCult has an internet radio stations, The AIR. You can tune in at the website, or on this neat little player…

On Mondays we feature progressive rock on Prognosis at 3 PM, with Harrah’s Hard & Heavy at 5 PM, cool talk with Patrick Felton, Mark Wolfe and the crew at The Empty Glass starts at 7 PM, and at midnight we get strange and disturbing overnight comedy and audio madness.

Sunday Evening Video: The Hunting Of The Snark

07-mike-batt-the-hunting-of-the-snarkI am a big fan of British composer/producer/musician Mike Batt, and I’ve shared some of his work here in Sunday Evening Video previously. In fact, I think I brought you a short clip from what I’m presenting tonight. This is the complete 1987 performance of Mike Batt’s adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of The Snark.

The Hunting of The Snark was originally released as a concept album in 1986 featuring vocals by Roger Daltrey, Art Garfunkel, Julian Lennon, Cliff Richard, Captain Sensible and Deniece Williams, narration by John Hurt and Sir John Gielgud and instrumental performances by Stephane Grappelli, George Harrison and the London Symphony Orchestra.

This semi-staged production took place at the Royal Albert Hall on April Fool’s Day 1987, with Justin Hayward taking Art Garfunkel’s role of the Butcher from the original recording and Billy Connolly replacing Cliff Richard as the Bellman. Other singers recreated their roles from the concept recording. Hurt took over all of the narration. Stephane Grapelli was replaced by an orchestra member, while Midge Ure played Harrison’s guitar parts. Batt conducts and adds lead and backing vocals throughout. This concert was filmed and screened as a television special in some countries and Batt has generously posted it to YouTube, so that we can bring it to you tonight.

Think how cool it would be if the West Viginia Symphony Orchestra had the budget to undertake a performance of this piece.

Ten Years of RFC Flashback: Episode 38

Shirt" from RFC Archives on Myspace.

38montageFrom March, 2008, re jump back to a special episode of Radio Free Charleston.  This is our 38th show, “Captain America Shirt” featuring music by Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen From Mars with Joe Slack and The Spurgie Hankins Band .There’s also a commercial for the Chevrolet Corvair and some animation from Mars.

The show sports location footage from The Blue Parrot, Capitol Roasters, Capitol Street, and The Quarrier Building, home of LiveMix Studio.  This made two episodes in a row where we used The Quarrier Building for some of our host segments. At the time I was sheepishly apologetic about it, but now it’s sort of bittersweet, since that building was taken away from Charleston’s artistic community.

This was a special episode because it was our first attempt at going weekly with Radio Free Charleston. We managed to squeak out four or five shows in consecutive weeks for the first time. Little did I know that, just a few years later, I would manage to do that for months at a time. Read the original production notes HERE.

Shocking News!

e-chairThe PopCulteer
February 24
, 2017

You probably couldn’t tell, but I haven’t been here for a few days.

I mean, I was here, writing these words and crafting these posts, but I actually did this in advance. For the latter part of this week I have been in Morgantown having some specialized EMG tests done to determine the progress of my treatment for Myasthenia Gravis. If all works out well, I’ll be able to drop some of my meds and enjoy the state of not having to take those anymore.

I’m really hoping that I’m doing well enough to eliminate one of my meds in particular. Prednisone is not fun, and after a few months on it, I’d like to be free of the increased irritability and appetite.

Now, the EMG test itself, is something that I have described as “thoroughly unpleasant.” Here’s how the Mayo Clinic describes it:

Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). Motor neurons transmit electrical signals that cause muscles to contract. An EMG translates these signals into graphs, sounds or numerical values that a specialist interprets.

Now, that sounds innocent enough, but the way they measure these signals is by using a device that’s not unlike a taser, which they apply to your arms or legs (or face). And they do this over and over again…for a long time. When they are checking for Myasthenia Gravis, they also stick needles in the affected areas. Here’s another description of that type of EMG:

How is an intramuscular EMG done?

A needle is inserted through the skin into the muscle. The electrical activity is detected by this needle (which serves as an electrode). The activity is displayed visually on an oscilloscope and may also be detected audibly with a speaker.

Since skeletal muscles are often large, several needle electrodes may need to be placed at various locations to obtain an informative EMG.

By the time you read this, I have already undergone these tests (I actually had tests like this done last year, but this new batch is supposed to be more comprehensive). I am already resting and/or heading back to Charleston, where I am quite unlikely to feel like doing much of anything this weekend.

And that includes writing a PopCulteer. So this will have to do. PopCult will continue to have all of our regular features and maybe even some extra Toy Fair reports. In the meantime…OW!

Transformers: The Last Knight Actors Meet The Toys

transThe PopCult Toybox

Transformers: The Last Knight stars Mark Wahlberg, Josh Duhamel, Isabela Moner, Laura Haddock, director Michael Bay and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura joined Hasbro’s Entertainment Preview Event on Monday, February 20, 2017 during New York Toy Fair. They were able to get a sneak peek of all the new movie-themed figures which are set to release later this year. Transformers: The Last Knight is coming out in theaters on June 23, 2017. Hasbro was kind enough to share some of their photos of this encounter with us.

See below for photos and captions from the event.

hasbro_022017_0023

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (L) is joined by film stars Mark Wahlberg, Isabela Moner, Laura Haddock, Josh Duhamel and Director Michael Bay (rear) at the Hasbro Entertainment Preview Event, Monday, February 20, 2017 in New York City.

hasbro_022017_0038

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT star Mark Wahlberg holds TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST NIGHT PREMIER EDITION LEADER CLASS MEGATRON at the Hasbro Entertainment Preview Event, Monday, February 20, 2017 in New York City. Inspired by the movie, the 9-inch figure will be available this fall.

hasbro_022017_0035

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT star Josh Duhamel holds Mega 1-Step Turbo Changer Dragonstorm figure at the Hasbro Entertainment Preview Event, Monday, February 20, 2017 in New York City. Inspired by the upcoming movie, the Dragonstorm figure features premium detailing and movie-inspired effects and will be available in fall.

hasbro_022017_0004

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT star Isabela Moner plays with TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT RC AUTOBOT SQWEEKS at the Hasbro Entertainment Preview Event Monday, February 20, 2017 in New York City. Inspired by a new character from the film, the remote controlled bot will be available this spring.

hasbro_022017_0033

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT star Laura Haddock holds TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT – KNIGHT ARMOUR TURBO CHANGER MEGATRON figure at the Hasbro Entertainment Preview Event, Monday, February 20, 2017 in New York City. Inspired by the film, this figure will be available this spring.

Stay tuned to PopCult for more Toy Fair news!

Radio Free Charleston International Takes Over The AIR

rfci-new-logo-2-23-02Don’t forget, Wednesday at midnight we begin a 24-hour marathon of Radio Free Charleston International on The AIR! Tune in at the website, or on this handy embedded radio player…

Tune in at Midnight Wednesday for a special 24-hour marathon of Radio Free Charleston International. This is one full day of nothing but your PopCulteer playing whatever he wants to, all day long. If you want insight into how your humble blogger’s mind operates, check out this marathon that includes everything from The Beatles to DEVO to Frank Zappa to weird experimental synth music to neo-classical to oldies to obscure new music and bizarre old music.

It starts at midnight, Wednesday and wraps up at midnight, Thursday. Then, if you dare, you can settle in for seven hours of the best Swing Music from the last century on The Swing Shift.

Stuff To Do Tonight: A Fundrasier at The Empty Glass

A fundraiser for my friend, Lee Harrah, following the death of his mother, Mikki, last month, happens tonight at The Empty Glass. I won’t be able to attend for the same reason that I had to miss Toy Fair in New York this week, but if you are free, enjoy great live music, and want to help somebody who helps a lot of other people and gives a tremendous amount back to the community, then please consider stopping by the Empty Glass tonight. Details are in the graphic below.

16664944_1187624481335165_3015875779633403004_o

Toy Fair 2017: Yet Another Batch of Links!

The PopCult Toybox

toy_fair_banner_2017The International Toy Fair in New York wrapped up Tuesday, but there’s still tons of news to cover. Helping us in that regard is another batch of links to pertinent stories from around the web.

Our friends at The 13th Dimension tell us all about what to expect from Diamond Select, Mezco, Funko, Super 7 and more, with tons of great photos, to boot!

Comic Book Resources covers the toys based on the upcoming movie, Transformers:The Last Knight.

The Fwoosh just as too many stories to mention. Visit their home page and bask in the Toy Fairyness.

Newsday looks all over Toy Fair for the coolest toys, many of which we told you about first here in PopCult.

The folks at Dread Central have photos of NECA’s Ash vs. Evil Dead hand puppets.

The Nerdist offers up previews of some of Funko’s offerings, like Game of Thrones, Wonder Woman and Westworld.

Fortune goes into detail about Mattel’s new holographic Barbie personal assistant.

The world’s first Transgender doll, made by Tonner, is covered by The Guardian.

Look for more Toy Fair coverage in the coming days and weeks.

Life Speaks Behind The Paranormal On The AIR

page1We revisit Michele Zirkle Marcum’s appearance on Behind The Paranormal on  The AIR today at 1:30 PM and 7 PM.  Check out a brand-new episode of Life Speaks with Michele Zirkle Marcum on The AIR website, or on this embedded radio player…

Last Sunday Michele appeared on the nationally-heard radio program Behind The Paranormal with Paul and Ben Eno. This show originates from Boston and can be heard online on OnWorldwide,com Radio.

Michele discussed her book, Rain No Evil and her encounters with the unexplainable that lead her to create Life Speaks. This week we bring you the first of three installments of her appearance on the show.

Also continuing this week is the “Heal Your Heart” contest with prizes including copies of her book, Rain No Evil,  and a one hour heart-healing session with Naturopathic doctor Dr. Jeanie Short.

The grand prize winner will be announced March 6th at noon in a live video on Michele’s Facebook page. For details on how you can enter the Heal Your Heart contest, go HERE,

rfci-new-logo-2-23-02At Midnight Wednesday we begin a 24-hour marathon of Radio Free Charleston International. This is one full day of nothing but your humble blogger playing whatever he wants to.

Also on The AIR Wednesday is our regular line-up of amazing, intelligent radio:

Wednesday on The AIR:

7:00 AM     The Swing Shift
9:00 AM     Radio Coolsville
11:00 AM   The Mystery Hour
Noon           Curtain Call
1:00 PM     On The Road with Mel
1:30 PM     Life Speaks with Michele Zirkle Marcum
2:00 PM     The Best of The Real with Mark Wolfe
3:00 PM     Curtain Call
5:00 PM     Indie Music On The AIR
7:00 PM     Life Speaks with Michele Zirkle Marcum
7:30 PM     Word Association with Lee & Rudy
8:00 PM     Prognosis
10:00 PM   The Comedy Vault
Midnight     The Radio Free Charleston International Marathon

« Older posts

© 2024 PopCult

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑