dotz 200045The PopCulteer
August 16, 2013

Your PopCulteer is attempting to climb back in the saddle this week. I’d like to thank all the folks who left comments or contacted me personally or on Facebook to send condolences for the loss of my uncle. His passing has meant that I have a big adjustment to deal with. I’m no longer responsible for someone else’s health and security needs. I also now have forty-plus hours of spare time each week to work on new projects.

But this week has been a bit of a jumble. Tuesday was my uncle Gene’s funeral. It was also my birthday. Talk about emotional roller-coaster rides. I am now settling down into an existence that involves much less stress. I’m also having trouble remembering what day of the week it is. Which is why this edition of The PopCulteer does not contain the usual photo essay dedicated to ArtWalk. I totally forgot that it was last night. The day before I had committed to a quick video shoot, and by the time I remembered that it was time for ArtWalk, Artwalk had already begun.

I do remember that, this Sunday, it’s time for the return of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. I will be there as the Sketchy crew celebrates Goddesses, beginning at the early time of 6 PM. Ten bucks gets you in the door at Uncork and Create.

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I had planned to release episode 189 of Radio Free Charleston this weekend, but I am delaying it for a week. Part of the reason for the delay is that I’m tweaking the format a bit. As we approach our special 200th episode, I plan to make the shows a bit longer, with four or five musical performances each episode, and I plan to spread them out a bit, taking a little more time to work on each show. Some of this is because I am now free to record bands in the middle of the week. Some of it is because I want to include more touring bands without taking spots away from our local musicians. Most of it is because I have ambitious and elaborate plans for episode 200, and if I can delay that particular show until next February, I stand a realistic chance of making those plans happen.

The main reason for delaying episode 189 is that, after the last week, I just can’t get my head into it. I’d have to edit all the videos, write the script and shoot the host segments, and before I do all that, I’m going to need to get into a new routine.

Tonight, the RFC crew will be at The Blue Parrot for the return of The Diablo Blues Band, along with Jabberwocky. We will be recording both bands for future episodes of Radio Free Charleston. The show kicks off at 10 PM and there is a five-dollar cover charge.

Next Thursday our cameras will be at The Empty Glass to record Irish Trip-Hop group Decomposing in Paris along with local eclecticians, Snakebox. That show also kicks off at 10 PM.

All of the regular PopCult features should return next week.

Stuff To Do

Tonight

“Live at the Alban” presents John Lilly

Talented singer/songwriter John Lilly performs Friday, August 16th at the Alban Arts Center. Performance begins at 7pm, house opens at 6:30pm.
Tickets: $10. If you wish to make a reservation please call the office at 304-721-8896. John has made a couple of appearences on RFC, and he’s an incredible songwriter. You should check him out when you get the chance.

Tonight at The Empty Glass, Morgantown rock n’ roll duo Haggard Wulf will perform with Pepper Fandango opening. The show kicks off at 10 PM. “-Armed with just a guitar and something far from what most would consider a drum kit, they are simply “hellbent for haggardness” as some might say… With a sound that’ll leave a ringin’ in your ears and maybe even a bad taste in your mouth.” Expect the usual EG $7/$5 cover charge.

Free music tonight includes Little Sparrow at Taylor Books at 7:30 PM and Cousin Larry at Bruno’s at 9 PM.

Saturday

Free music includes a recital by Chuck Biel’s students at The Bluegrass Kitchen at 7 PM, Butch Ross at Taylo Books at 7:30 PM and The Chuck Town Trio at 9:30 PM at Timothy’s Bar.

RFC guest, Jeff Ellis, returns to The Empty Glass Saturday at 11 PM. He’s got a hot new band behind him and will tear up the joint with his original tunes. Well worth catching. Cover charge will be seven bucks.

The Modified Dolls WV Chapter is hosting a show 10 PM at The Blue Parrot, Saturday August 17th. With live music from Reveler, Beyond the Wayside and Elysium. Cover chage is five dollars.

Also at 10 PM, at Sam’s Uptown Cafe, Morgantown indie band, Culture Thief come down to play Charleston along with Huntington/Charleston based Blue Ring, and killer indie band and recent RFC guest, Time & Distance. We;re guessing the cover charge is five bucks, but don’t hold us to that.

That’s it for this week’s PopCulteer. Next week PopCult will hit the ground running and all will be well. The art, music, toys, comic books and other stuff will be back where it belongs.