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Smyth" continues through Sept
<20 at the TaNaJr Academy of Arts
-and Sciences, 121 Barnard St. DIs^p*ayed works by^Ine contemporary
sculptor ranges from cast concrete
'to moaaJc, with much of the subject
matter Influenced by the HaHan Revnaiaeanoe and tie ancient tetanic
arxJ Aaayrtan dvillzattons. Muaeum
hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays,
dosed Mondays and 10a.m. to 5
p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Admission is free Sundays, At other
times it to $2.50 for adults, $1 for
students, 60 cents for children ages
6 to 12 and free for children under
6. Into: 232-1177.
,~..MWNWt
of handnoolonKi i
SCADeiJdent
, Is on view through
the main ttpJferyfrHhe school'*
pen Matt, W Martin LufterrangJr.
Blvd. Oaflery houm are 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Info:
Draylon Qattary, 435 Drayton St» is fseJbuvlfig scsfies of 8a~
vannah b^ watercotofartists T.J.
Soypaaakl and LyiHMi Qfajit.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Info:
233-2004.
Won OaHery, located on the lighthouse and museum grounds at Old
Fort Screveh on Tybee Island, teatures islands art in at media: oil,
pastel, acryttcs, mixed media, wetstcotor, drawingSt photography,
stained glass, fibers, sculpture, pottery and selected local crafts. Hours
are 1050 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. dairy except Tuesday (dosed Tuesdays).
An exhibit titled "Special
Tttrow Coaetal Phoioyaphlc
"•ortfoNoa" - featurtng works by
local photographers trie Hsuiley,
Curtle HanMM Jr., MJ>^ and
Qregery WIMtoma - te on display Birough Saturday at the University of Georgm Marine Extension
Service Aquarium on Skidaway teland. Aquarium hours are 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. Monday through Friday and
noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Into:
598-2496.
"Summer Ixhlbrl "sMT -
a snow featuring pastels by Robert
laley and Jamie Sehftefer, watercolors by Patrlttte Luek and
sculpture on canvas by K«ta>
Johneon - is on display through
Friday at the International Oasis
Gallery, 230 Bull St. Gallery hours
are 10 am. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Saturday. Info: 236-4736.
The Savannah Art Association's "Spectacular Summer
Show" is on view through next
Sunday (Aug. 9) in the organization's gallery, 309 W. St. Julian St.
The mixed-media exhibit features
over 40 works by SAA members.
Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays and
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through
Saturdays. Info: 232-7731.
S.Morris Gallery, 137 Bull
St, is featuring a group show of
contemporary Southeastern artists
whose works have been exhibited in
several national shows. The show
Includes abstracts and figures by
BINte do La Penha, trains and
walls by Stephen Bayteea, landscapes in oil by Ruth Mrrott, oils
by Charlee LsNteon, rainforest
series watercotors by Rhonda
Flommlng Long and acrylic abstracts by Joyco Thontpeon.
GaHery hours are 10 a.m, to 5 p.*
Monday through Saturday. Info:
233-7712.
Gallery Alexov, 25 E. Bay
St., features an international exhibit
of fine art by artists from the United
States and the former Soviet Union,
including original paintings, sculpture, Russian lacquered-wood art,
and the Savannah Maritime Festival
poster and other limited-edition
prints. Gallery hours are 1 to 6 p.m.
Sunday and 10 a.m. to 6p.m. Monday through Saturday. Info:
Featured this month at Gallery 209,209 E. River St., are Jamie Mcllhlney, a painter in egg
tempera, watercotor and acrylic;
and Bob McCarthy, a specialist
in fine woodworking. Hours are
noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday and
30:30 am to 5:30 p.m. Monday
through Saturday, info: 236-4583.
Turmoils off IINtese," a
TheofficiaJ
Maritime Peathral print is available, at a cost of $25, at several Jocal oalteries. Proceeds from Patrick
McCay's colorful work wifl fund entertainment to be presented by the
galleries during the festival, which
runs from Sept. 10 through 13 and
celebrates the passage of the Olympic torch through Savannah. Participatlng galleries include City Market
Art fJerrter, Cotton Factors Gallery,
Drayton Gallery, Exhibit A GaHery,
Ganery Alexov, GaJery 209, GaHery
307, International Oasis GaHery,
Rrverworks Gallery, S. Morris Gallery and Silver House Gallery. Info:
Joanne at 233-2004.
oavauraanii inenoan.p ano .me s aim-
'jhAi^AuMilffcM ^^AAKjA^kkt —— -* •«»'-• — .la—
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Dunnagan's AMey at Arrow
•%^—^j -4-h 'UMkuTiJAA^i •—«—.'-• A f%
fioao on rva0n naaa ajajnn, o.v.
Shows are Tusadayi through Saturdaya at 8^0p.m. |na play m the
•toryofme '*^npBoyst who run a
oaa stallon on HnHway 57 near
cNiiwiauifB^ ana vie umaaes, wno
ruriiia Dotage Cupp.Dinar next
<foa. Tlcltets areS/60 for adults
and $10 for cNkfren. Info and reservatk)ns: (803) 786-4878.
aaialeejjeia^ai
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Audltlofw
The Savannah Theatre
Company wW hold auditions for its
Mlnda" at 7 p.m. Monday and
Tuesday at the Savannah Theatre,
222 Bui StRdee are available for
two men and one woman, all three
age 20 to 40. Those auditioning will
read from the script. The play, to be
directed by David Schafler, opens
on Sept 4. Info: 233-7764.
Music
John Cotbtone and
Frlenda, with vocaHst Donna
Taylor, wHI perform today from 6 to
8£0 p.m. (they did not play last
Sunday, as was erroneously listed
In last Sunday's Around Town calendar) at the Hltton Resort at Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head Island,
S.C. The concert, $5 for general admission and free tor members of the
Hirton Head Jazz Society, is part of
the HHJS's First Sunday Jazz series. Info: (803) 842-4457,
Concerts In Johnson
Square - a summertime series of
free performances by local jazz,
dance and Dixieland bands In a historic setting - continues this week
wtth appearances Wednesday by
MHoh Dodo* and the Savannah talnta and Friday by the
Ken Mime* Quintet. All concerts begin at 11:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:30 p.m. Johnson Square
is located downtown on Bull Street
City Market Art Center,
between Bryan and Congress
on the upper levels of the Franklin
streets. The series is co-sponsored
Ward North and South buildings in
by the American Federation of MuCity Market, houses the working
sicians and the city of Savannah.
studios of potters, painters,fiberart- Info: 651-6417.
ists, woodcarvers, photographers
and giass designers, who create,
Country music star Earl
exhibit and demonstrate their art.
Thomas Conloy will perform at 8
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
p.m. Friday in the Savannah Civic
through Saturday and 1 toSjxm.
Center's Martin Luther King Jr. AreSunday. Free. Info: 234-f
na Tickets are $17 if purchased at
the Civic Center box office, $17.60 if
ordered by phone and $18 if bought
Drama
at the Civic Center's ticket outlets Starship Records and Tapes stores
in Savannah and Hinesviile, and at
City Lights Theater CompaDisc Jockey Records in Savannah
ny's production of Terrence McMail. Info and credit-card orders:
NaW/s "Frankle * Johnny In
651-6566.
the Clalr do Lune" concludes
this week, with performances today
The public is invited to an orand Thursday through next Sunday
gan recital and hymn festival by
(Aug. 9) at the Yorklane Theater,
15 W. York Lane. AH performances Roger B. Byrd at 4 p.m. next Sunday (Aug. 9) at Calvary Baptist
are at 8 p.m. The play chronicles
Temple, 4625 Waters Ave. The conthe romance between a jaded waitcert will include works by Pachelbel,
ress and a persistent cook. City
Bach, GuinakJo, Langlais and
Lights artistic director Jim Holt and
Mouret There is no admission
Grace Tootle star. Tickets are
charge, but an offering will be taken.
$7.50. Info and reservations:
Info: 351-2288.
234-9860.
The Savannah Theatre
Company's production of "Big River," a musical by Roger Miller
(songs) and William Hauptman
(book), based on Mark Twain's
'The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn," continues, with performances
today, Friday through next Sunday
(Aug. 9), and Aug. 14 and 15 at the
Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St All
shows start at 8 p.m. except today's
and next Sunday's, which begin at 3
p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for senior citizens and
$6 for students. In addition, the
play's cast and crew will host Family Day activities at the theater
from 1 to 3 p.m. today and next
Sunday. Hamburgers, hot dogs and
old-fashioned fun wW be served up
prior to the matinee performances.
Info and theater reservations:
233-7764.
"Pump Boys and Dinettes,* a down-home musical
vannah Theatre
7^0 and willaat about an hour.
Info: 234-6127.
shown at 1 and 3p.m. Saturday at
the Unrveretty of Georgia Marina
Extension Center Aquarium on
Skidaway Wand. Tharo Is no
charge. Regular aquarium hours are
9 a.m. to 4 p,m. Monday through
Friday and noon to 5p.m. Saturday.
hfo: 598-3474 (596-FISH).
Class**, Workshops
QemotogtetRohart An<ar
eon II WPI present ^Jojweary
Stiver Soware" - a workshop
designed to leach participants how
to recognize quaWy In precious metals, diamonds, paans and colored
stones - from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday
at the Coastal Georgia Center for
Continuing Education's downtown
conference center, 305 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The fee Is $15.
Info and registration: 651-2767.
"Babyeittlng Males," a
workshop for young people ages 12
to 16, wl be heldfrom3 to 430
p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at
the Ogiethorpe Mall branch of the
Chatham-Etnngham-Uberty Regional Library. Topics will include safety,
first aid, entertaining children and
care and feeding of small children.
Upon completion, participants will
be certified as babysitters by the
Chatham County Extension Service.
There is no fee for the sessions,
which are part of the library's Summer Reading Club, but pre-registration is required. Info and registration: 925-5432.
The Armstrong State
College Community Music
School offers children and adults
private music lessons in voice, piano and band instruments. The program features 30-, 45- and 60-minute lessons once a week through
September 1 in the school's Fine
Arts Center. Call for fees and
schedules. Info: 927-5381.
of femffy oriented
.
held today from' tto 4 p.m. at the
Telfsjr Academy of Arts and 8c4ences, 121 Barnard 8i AdMHes many of tarn Hed ID'*** muet;
urn's current exhtoH, 'Two Worlds
Apart The Sculpture of Ned Smyth"
-w« include handt-ori workshops
for children In sculpture and moeeiemaMna the creation of a temporary
work of public art in Terfair Square,
and videos doc«meiitingJ5mytrfs
commissioned works in Savannah,
New York and other ctttes. There is
no charge lor the city sponsored
event Info: 232-1177.
Trie Savannah Science Mudaya programs of ton and educational activities tor children condudes this week with a reprise of
last week's program, "atoneter
Metlnoo* i no presentation., OT- ,
fered at 10 and 11 a.m., focuses on
the beasts that roamed the prehistoric Coastal Empire, ft features
lively original music and lyrics and is
designed to hold the attention of
both children and parents. The cost
is $1.50 per person. The museum is
located at 4405 Paulson St info
and reservations: 355-6705.
"Women of the Colonial
Frontier" will be the focus of a
special program from 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. Saturday at the Wormsloe Historic Site, 7601 Skidaway Road. Interpreters in authentic 18th-century
attire will demonstrate many of the
skills of women of that era. Admission is $1.50 for adults, 75 cents for
children ages 6 to 18 and free for
children 5 and under. Group rates
are available. Info: 353-3023.
A dirty dog dip will be held
from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Animal
Appeal, 113 Eisenhower Drive. The
cost is $5 for a bath and dip, and
proceeds benefit the Pet Assistance
League of Savannah (PALS). Dogs
should be leashed, and pet owners
should bring a towel. Parkina will be
Talks, Readings
available at Coastal Transmission
and Phar Mor. Info: 925-7257 or
"Cave Biology" will be the 354-4529.
topic of a slide show and lecture by
Tickets are on sale now for a
Dr. Ken Relyea of Armstrong
"Chef
e Table" featuring celeState College at 7 p.m. Tuesday at
brated Cajun cook Justin Wilson,
the Ogiethorpe Mall branch of the
Chatham-Efnngham-Uberty Region- to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug.
22, in the ballroom of the Hyatt Real Library. The program win explore
gency Savannah, 2 W. Bay Street.
the plants and animals that inhabit
The black tie-optional event, a fund
the dark recesses of caves in the
raiser for the Second Harvest Food
southeastern United States, Info:
Bank's Second Servings program,
598-2325.
will feature a champagne reception,
specialties by celebrated local
chefs, a cooking demonstration by
The city of Savannah Leithe folksy Wilson (host of PBS telesure Services Bureau's series of
vision's "The Louisiana Chef"), dinpublic meetings to aaaoaa
ner and music. Second Servings is
5 the) community's recreation
a
program that provides prepared
facility needs continues this week,
food for hungry children in Savanwith meetings at 7 p.m. Wednesday
nah. Each $100 ticket will supply
at the YMCA, 6400 Habersham St.;
enough food to feed 100 hungry
and at 7 p.m. Thursday at Southchildren for one week. Seating is
side Fire Department station No. 1
limited and reservations are reon White Bluff Road. Info:
quired. Major credit cards will be ac351-3837.
cepted. Info and reservations:
236-8779.
Will Hon, an educator with
The city of Savannah is
the University of Georgia Marine
seeking professional artists
Extension Service, will present a
to participate in the Weave-Aprogram titled "Birds: Maximum
Dream program, which allows
Rap star Hammer will perMobility In Finding Pood" at 8
groups unaffiiiated with major arts
form at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4,
p.m. Saturday in the auditorium of
in the Savannah Civic Center's Mar- Tybee Island City Hall as part of the organizations to present plays, concerts, classes and other activities to
tin Luther King Jr. Arena. Tickets
Tybee Island Marine Science Cenare $22 for the first 1,000 sold, $23
ter's Evening Adventure series. The target populations - particularly
in advance and $24 on the day of
free events are audio-visual presen- those that are underserved by established arts groups. Artists are
the show if purchased at the Civic
tations and discussions pertaining
needed in crafts (basketry, weaving Center. A $1 service charge will be
to the natural and historical reand needlework), painting, drawing,
adddd for tickets purchased at other sources of the Georgia coast. The
dance, theater, flower arranging and
outlets (Starship Records and
series continues through Aug. 29.
other areas. Artists interested in
Tapes stores in Savannah and
Info: 786-5917.
seeking Weave-A-Dream grants
Hinesvilte, and Disc Jockey Recshould send resumes with referords at Savannah Mall). Info:
ences to the Office of Cultural Af351-6556.
Comedy
fairs,
PXX Box 1027, Savannah GA
__
31402. Community aroups interestPlnkard S Bowdon will be the ed in sponsoring a Weave-A-Dream
headliners this week at the Comedy
project can write to the same adHouse, 317 Eisenhower Drive. Also
This summer's final Family
dress, or call the Office of Cultural
Affairs. Info: 651-6417.
Film Night at the main branch of
on the bill is Dicky Palmer. Showthe Chatham County Public Library, times are 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
The city of Savannah is
through Thursday and 8 and 10:30
2002 Bull St, Is Tuesday. Films to
p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets
sponsoring a variety of free sumbe shown are "Magic
Sonool
Bus Adventure,'7 "Morris
mer programs for children at
are $9 for shows Tuesday through
city parks and community centers,
Thursday and $10 for ail the weekOooa to School" and "Truck
including performances by the Saend performances. Info: 356-1045.
Song." The program will begin at
and Treasure trunks" outoeaohjptograma, dnjnt music sndH
and rounolwet tours •
the Coaetal HarHaQS) 8 .. . ,
•^ by BsM South, and __
»aur.*jence and drug prevention
prooratns from the SeWiNWi Op*
•net museum, rnfo: 661-6417^
Tr»e dty o^ Savannah Leisure Servtees Bureau's ongoing
Art In tlio Pawk programs am destanad to serveyoutf»sages3to 18.
Contact names are: drama camps,
Rob Mapottf datico caiTwa, Aup^ay
Bland; Art to the Partc, Lawrence
Carson; ceramics camp*, Harris
Nathan. Info and registration:
r
651-6783,
The Cfty of Savamiali'a
ARTSUMI, 233-2787 (233-ARTS)
off ersweeWy updates on local cultural events via a 24-hour taped telephone message.
Out of Town
"Family Affair," amultimedia exhfoft tfwx^ byarfl^^
skilled members of the same family,
opens with a reception today from
6:30 to 8 p.m. and wttl be on dteptay
through the end of the month at the
Coastal Center for the Arts, 2012
Demere Road on St. Simons island.
Featured are wood sculpture bv
Ray Dumas, conceptual art by Carol
Dumas, furniture by Noelte Dumas,
paintings by Rusty Dumas and needlepoint by Flo Anderson. Admission to tonight's wine-and-food reception Is $10, with proceeds benefiting the center. Admission to the
exhibit during the center's regular
hours will be free. Info:
1-912-634-0404.
1
H
A photography exhibit titled
"lack Homes ReflectIon»t>f
Afrlcan-Amorloan Cofitimiftltfaa" is on display through Oct 16
at the High Museum of Art, 133
Peachtree St. NE in Atlanta. Included in the show, which features
works from the museum's collection, are portraits by James Van Der
Zee taken during the Harlem Renaissance, chronicles of the Great -'
Depression by Walker Evans and
character studies by Prentiss Polk.
There are also contemporary works,
such as Paul Kwitecki's studies of
life in Decatur County, and handcolored family photographs by
Christian Walker. Regular hours are
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday. The museum also will be
open from noon to 5 p.m. today,
Saturday and next Sunday (Aug. 9)
in conjunction with the National
Black Arts Festival. Admission to
the exhibit is free. Info: (404)
577-6940.
The Georgia Shake*
speare Festival continues
through Aug. 16 in a 400-seat outdoor theater tent on the campus of
Ogiethorpe University in Atlanta,
This year's productions, presented
in rotating repertory, are "Lowe's
Labour's Lost," 'The Tempest" and "Hamlet, Godfather
of Brooklyn" - the latter a modem adaptation of the classic tragedy. Shows are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays
through Sundays (grounds open at
630 p.m. for picnickers). Singleticket prices are $16 for performances Sunday through Thursday,
$18 for Friday shows and $20 for
Saturday performances. Student,
group ana senior citizen rates are
available. Info: (404) 264-0020.
Items to be considered for
inclusion in this column must be received in writing no later than Monday, 5p.m. Please include the date,
time, exact location, a brief description of the event, the admission
price and a telephone number tor
readers to call for information.
Send all information to
Around Town, Features Department, Savannah News-Press, P.O.
Box 1088, Savannah, GA 31402.
Photographs submitted cannot be
returned.
9
Clint Black Must Take the Blame for His Bland 'Hard Way Album
An Analysis
By MICHAEL CORCORAN
'
dint Black's career is in trouble. He's embroiled in suits and
countersuits with his powerful former manager BIB Ham, but that's
not the main problem. Neither is
his recent marriage to actress
Lisa Hartman ("Knot's Landing"), who came complete with a
mom who's a National Enquirer
taadHne wtittog to happen. Nope,
the Roy Rogers look-alike from
Houston is •bout to take a dip to
popularity because he Just has released a relatively bland, unexciting album called 'The Hard
Way."
With only ntoe cuts, this is the
aural counterpart of the old jece:
It's not very l°od **** **'* *"
abort
* Expect the album to enter the
Billboard charts hi the Top S anyway - maybe even at No. 1. Considering that the first single, "We
Tefl tittwNes," has be« out tor
two months and that
-«
Black's first two albums hive sold
a combined five million copies,
country audiences are ready to
pounce on a new product from the
singer who looks as if tr\e sun's air
ways in his eyes.
Watch for sales to drop off considerably after a couple of weeks,
however, when listeners discover
that "We Tell Ourselves'* is the
only great song on the album. A
couple of others, including the title
track and "A Woman Has Her
Way," sound like possible hits, but
nothing on this album really jumps
out at you. I spent the first few listens trying to put my finger on the
major aongwrittng and singing inspiration, then it finally hit me:
John Denver. On "When My Ship
Gomes In," Btacfc even mixes two
of Denver's favorite subjects when
be stogi about''salting out of Colorado." Yeah, right Then there's
that long drive to Hawaii
When Black, who beat out
Garth Brooks for both the prestigious Country Musk Association
Hortoo Award to Hit and the
Male Vocaha* trophy to 1M, fails
to come doae to Garth's sales,
critics will say that RCA failed to
promote it properly or that Black's
image had been tarnished by his
legal battles or that the product
wasn't marketed to the right demographics.
Maybe his junior slump wifl be
credited to the neo-Yoko bashlash
following his marriage to an ambitious woman. Yeah, boy, when
Clint hits the high notes, you can
almost see Lisa tightening the vice
grips. The simple truth, however,
is that 'The Hard Way" isn't very
exciting.
What is marketing, anyway?
Doesnt that mean stacking apples
so the bruises are hidden? Isn't it
marketing when the big girt to
Wilson Phillips is photographed
wearing green in a field of waving
grass? How did such a concept become applicable to music that's
meant to strike a glorious connection with the fan?
Cynics of the Garth Phenomenon tare to point out that he majored to marketing at Oklahoma
State, at if be apent tettr years of
coUegt drawtog tile perfect cowhoy hat and telling Mmaetf that if
he could just put a chunky face on
the Western musical mythology of
Chris LeDoux, he'd make a million
dollars. The reason Garth Brooks
sells so many albums is because
they're good. That's it
Good songs, good singin', good
playin': "Do you take American
Express?" That's how it works. If
you've ever spent an hour or so
talking to Jimmy Bowen, the president of Brooks' label, Liberty
Records, you know Garth's not the
beneficiary of some master plan.
Bowen, who;teeters between being the most powerful man in
Nashville and an inside joke, is the
kind of visionary who would've
tried to steer Hank Williams away
from sad songs: "We just can't
market that lonesome sniff, Hoss.
Now go write me a song about the
O.K. Corral."
As Nashville catches up to the
pop music world, in both sales and
aetf-fenportaaee, you hear a tot of
talk of marketing, promotion and
management decisions. Pay someone HMtt a year, and their first
task is to try and make you think
they're warm $. Ham, who owns
almost all of Black's publishing
and received 20 percent of all other
earnings, had a real hard time
persuading his client he was worth
it.
Many music bizzers nave credited Ham with launching Black
into the stratosphere of popularity; they say he's worth every penny Black ever squeezed out of him.
When Black first auditioned for
Ham, he was working construction
part time to support his fledgling
music career. Elvis drove a truck.
Frank Sinatra worked as a singing
waiter. Jimi Hendrix was in the
Air Force. They all started somewhere, but once they got to the
right place, there was no question
that they were going to be huge.
Although a brilliant manager
(look bow far he's taken the barely
competent ZZ Top), Ham had only
a speck of influence on Black's career compared to such tunes as "A
Better1 Man" and ''Nobody's
Home ' and the expressively tough
and tender voice that delivered
them. Anyone with ears could tefl
that the *99 debut LP, 'KiUin'
Time," and its handsome young
Country music star CHnt
Black finds
Ns career in
trouble
creator would be wildly successrul.
In his case, marketing meant putting out the darn thing.
The people Robert Blake used
to call "the suit-and-tie Johns" will
try to make "The Hard Way" Clint
Black's best-setting album so far.
Because Black refused their suggestion to use a couple of radiofriendly outside writers and instead co-wrote every song hfanself,
the suits win put him on the airplay campaign trail. He'll do tens
of interviews, star in yet another
Bob Hope special, embark 00 a
massive, high-profile tour and
keep releasing stogies. The listening public will keep sales retpectabie, but they wont be raft
TheyII hear the record for what4t
b, a big step back.
And no one Is to blame but
er-eougwrto Clint Black.