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Scuttlebutt - The Lowdown on Movers, Shakers, and Entertainment By Robert E. Martin Kara Harris (Curator of Education), Mary Malocha (Curator of Exhibitions and Collections), and Elizabeth Martin (Asst. Curator of Exhibitions) at the Linda McCartney Opening at the Saginaw Art Museum There's a lot to cover this week in Scuttlebutt, beginning with the recent 'Opening Night' Reception at the Saginaw Art Museum for the Linda McCartney photography exhibit, Roadworks. The exhibition itself is remarkable; featuring 90 photographs that when viewed in a larger image format (the way the artist intended) reveal Linda's keen eye for composition and detail. One of my favorite portraits is Uplift, a shot taken from the stage at one of Paul McCartney's concerts, that captures the expressions of energy, hope, and exuberance in the faces of an audience, as reflected back from the perspective of the artist, who becomes the unstated 'subject' of the piece. Roadworks will be on display at the museum through April 28th, so if you haven't caught it yet, definitely do. You can also pick up tabletop copies of Linda's photography books and a copy of her Vegetarian cookbook in the gift shop. Also running simultaneously with the McCartney show is an exhibition of Saginaw artist Duane Miller's numerous sketches of familiar Saginaw streets, buildings, and alley ways. The detailed rendering of Miller's drawings reflects a deep almost nostalgic fondness & love for the architecture and places of our fair city, and it is good to see an artist of Duane's caliber finally receiving the attention he so rightly deserves. Saginaw artist Duane Miller at the opening of his exhibit that runs through April at the Saginaw Art Museum Speaking of the McCartney exhibit, rumors are still spreading that ex-Beatle Paul McCartney might actually visit the Saginaw Art Museum at some point in April. Paul has a show scheduled at the Palace of Auburn Hills on May 1st, so the logistics might actually fall into place. Given the fact that Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young spent one week rehearsing at the Saginaw County Events Center prior to the kickoff of their tour at the Palace, coupled with Kid Rock also scheduling a week of rehearsal time at the venue, the appearance of Paul in Saginaw is not necessarily wild speculation. No word on ticket availability for Paul's Palace date, but a quick search on the Internet yesterday turned up prime seats for the show available for purchase now at $400 - $600 a pop! Hey, they don't call him the 'Rockefeller of Rock' for nothing. Kid Rock at the Saginaw Events Center... Photo by Kay McEntee Speaking of Kid Rock, his recent show at Saginaw's Wendler Arena was truly a site to behold. Apart from being the first time I've ever parked on the top upper deck of the downtown parking ramp, the sold-out show yielded numerous surprises and few disappointed fans. Holed-up in rehearsals all week at the venue, Atlantic Records representatives were quick to warn that this was not necessarily the official 'opening' of the tour, but more an opportunity for Kid Rock and band to try out some "new things" in the show. True to his reputation for staging a throw-down extravaganza, Kid opened the show with huge 40-foot flame throwers framing each side of the stage, rising from a hidden pedestal in white fur coat like some Wizard of Oz from Dearborn. Instead of two strippers in go-go cages he had four this year, and the choreographed indoor fireworks display rivaled some of the best seen on the 4th of July. With a pair of matching clotheslines on each side of the stage displaying numerous and varied t-shirts, the Kid dressed in simple jeans and t-shirt, the only 'rock star' trapping consisting of the diamond-studded 'bling-bling' of his 'Kid Rock' belt buckle. Musically, the band was in top-form, running through the full gamut of prior hits, sprinkled in with several songs from his recent release, Cocky. But in my book the highlight was when standing about 10-feet from the sound booth, I witnessed the Kid's girlfriend Pamela Lee Anderson surface, standing next to the soundman, shaking her moneymaker, and drinking Kristal champagne on every fourth beat. The only downside to the show was the fact photographers were only allowed to shoot 45-seconds of the 1st song. Many of the photogs in attendance weren't even able to focus their cameras in that span of time, but the Review's Kay McEntee pulled off a couple of shots like the true pro she is. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of concerts, unfortunately, word has it that a lot of unhappy campers exited from the recent Prince show at Heritage Theatre. True to form, no press passes, photographers, or interviews were allowed by the 'Royal Purple One'. Prince did rise to the occasion, however, by furthering his reputation for controversy. Reportedly, he performed primarily material from his new album The Rainbow Children, which consists mainly of an amalgam of jazz-funk with Christian overtones. Recently a devout 'born-again' Christian, Prince has said he intends to recut all of his old X-rated classics like Little Red Corvette and Sexy Mother #$@. Apparently when people in the audience started to scream for Purple Rain, he ignored their pleas, leaving many in attendance clamoring for refunds on their $75.00 tickets. Personally, I detest it when an audience 'demands' that an artist perform nothing but their 'hits'; but one must admit, at a high-dollar event, some form of common ground & compromise should be found. Apparently the festivities didn't end after the show, as Prince reportedly booked an aftershow party at the new Decades Downtown nightclub, where he did make a brief appearance. Ah yes, Saginaw - Rock City! It's certainly great to have so much national talent frequenting these parts again. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of national talent (and local airbags) I'd like to take this opportunity to address some remarks Blowhole Joe & the Slowboy made on their Z-93 morning show. Apparently on one Get It Off Your Chest segment recently, Joe started ranting about how the Review sucks because we always talk about all the great local talent in the area, yet up until the cover feature we did on Lila Rasa, had put nothing on our covers but national acts for the past several issues. He then went on to ruminate how if local entertainment was 'so good', why didn't it ever go anywhere? Joe, I gotta' tell you, I do enjoy your show and many of the witty, over-the-top things you do. And I was a bit hurt by your remarks, considering that I helped you out in that libel suit that one of the Cruiser girls filed against you a year or two back. In fact, I was even contemplating putting you on the cover in a recent edition. But trust me, you've gotta start getting your head out of the beer-bowl at Hooters in your spare time. True, The Review does feature cover stories & interviews with National Acts. That's because we are committed to covering artists that carry a wide appeal to readers, have a large following, and that present us with the opportunity to glean fresh insights and top-notch original photography. But we are equally committed to shining the spotlight on local talent, which is remarkably prevalent in this area, occasionally does break through into the 'big time', and would undoubtedly go a lot further if you guyz would get off your tired & lame posteriors and start to actually play their material on the airwaves with a bit more regularity instead of concentrating on the same old Styx tunes all the time. Oh yeah, you still play Matt Besey's Lady Mercy, but there are at least ten other great songs on that album you could try for something fresh, considering that the CD is a few years old now. How about bands like Poke, The Process, and Sharrie Williams & the Wiseguys, to name but a few. But let's face it, original quality local programming are words that don't fit into your vocabulary, because the 'powers-that-be' pretty much tell you what to play - so much for 'free form' radio. Did you look at all the nominees that appeared last issue for our 16th Review Music Awards Ceremony? This area is rich in talent, yet you guys couldn't even bother to attend and pick up your trophy in prior years. In fact, that's one reason we decided to drop the category, because let's face it, there is no such thing as a 'Best Rock Radio Station in the tri-cities. And that's a very sorry-ass situation, indeed. Instead of focusing on music, all the Big Cheese looks for is 'personality' to drive ratings. Yak, yak, yak. Is it any wonder 9 out of 10 people do not listen to the radio anymore and would rather plug in a CD or tape when cruising to work in the morning? It's an unfortunate situation, guys. Collectively, print & radio could really make this area smoke. But evidently thinking up new boob jokes is easier for you. Please don't take this the wrong way, guys. No matter how you try and hurt, neglect, and dismiss us, darlings, there is still hope with each fresh new morning that we can all get together and make things happen for this area. To paraphrase Hemingway: "Isn't it pretty to think so?" ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Alden B. Down Home & Studio, a National Historic Landmark, located at 318 Post Street in Midland is offering special Spring Break tours March 26-30, 2002 at 10 AM or 2 PM. Students are $2.00 and accompanying adults are $5.00. All other adults are $10.00 Reservations are required. If you've yet to take this tour, now is the time to do so. The Dow home is truly one of the treasures of the tri-cities. Alden Dow was an organic architect and student of Frank Lloyd Wright and practiced architecture for over 50 years. In 1934, after returning from Taliesin, Mr. Dow began designing his home and studio, regarded as one of the most beautiful contemporary homes in the United States. Mr. Dow's home & studio is a prime example of organic architecture, the integration of nature with a man-made structure. As you enter the Home & Studio you will get your first glimpse of the pond that surrounds the house and also the intriguing Submarine Room, a conference room a foot-and-a-half below the level of the pond. This is only the beginning of your two-hour tour experience; the surprises and beauty continue around every corner. Come spend a couple of hours and discover one of Michigan's best-kept secrets. Call 989-839-2744 for reservations, and for more information visit their website at www.abdow.org. If you cannot make the Spring Break tours, the facility offers public tours every Friday at 10 am and 2 pm and every Saturday 10 am, February through December. Prearranged group tours and access into the Alden B. Dow Archives are available by appointment Monday through Friday and educational programs are also available.
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