Between Editions

Photo credit: Urve Kuusik. Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone in a rarely seen photo from 1973, the year his album “Fresh” was released.

Sony is unveiling this week dozens of photos from their archives in an effort to make profits. They assume, correctly in my case, that music fans will love the true vintage photos like the one of Sly Stone you see above.

As you look through the galleries of photos, you’ll see Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, among others, in smoky recording rooms where real music took place. It’s a fanciful, black and white world — one I wish I could visit.

Click here for access.

For the New York Times story about Sony’s photographs, click here.

I’ve seen several signs up across town, and I’m guessing everyone else has seen at least one, letting the public know that the South Arkansas Arts Center will be holding auditions for its summer musical, South Pacific, on May 19 & 20.
I’ve already done a preliminary interview with the show’s director, Clay Callaway, for a future feature piece, and, while the show is still a good ways off, he’s got some pretty cool ideas on the visual aspects of his version of South Pacific. A good friend of mine is also choreographing the show, and while she and I haven’t gotten into the particulars of what she has in mind, I know that the choreography is in very capable hands.
So, for those who are interested and haven’t seen a sign yet, auditions are May 19-20 at 6 p.m. at the SAAC.
For more information, contact the Arts Center at (870) 862-5474.

ZZ Top, Huey Lewis & the News, Merle Haggard, .38 Special and more will headline this year’s Riverfest in Little Rock.

Click here for more.

If you’re looking for something to do tonight, check out the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on the empty parking lot behind the Corner Cafe, also known as Oil Heritage Park, at Jefferson and Cedar streets downtown.

According to a news release, “There will be activities for kids of all ages throughout the day including an authentic bagpipe player who will be performing downtown all afternoon. Visitors are welcome to check out all of the unique shops and restaurants located downtown for special St. Patrick’s Day surprises.”

The Rock-Paper-Scissors Championship will begin at 5 p.m. El Dorado resident Charley Hankins won last year’s event.

The winner Saturday will take home $200 plus other gifts.

At 7 p.m. you can catch a free concert with Dave Almond with his unique blend of Americana music. The trio Pail was scheduled to play after that, but the group’s drummer, Chad Morris, had pneumonia so the band had to cancel. Fortunately, the group Hamilton Stone has agreed to step in and play Saturday night. If you have any energy left after the St. Patrick’s Day party, the Corner Cafe will host a St. Patrick’s Day Jam starting around 9 p.m. tonight.

And don’t forget the green beer. Happy St. Patty’s Day!

I’ll be over at the Rialto Theater with the paranormal group looking for spooks. — John Worthen.

Photo credit: (Michale Sevy) Click here for Sevy’s site.

By John Worthen
For Between Editions
IHOP has announced that it will be serving green eggs and ham in conjunction with the new Dr. Suess movie based on “Horton Hears a Who!”

I’ve never understood the whole concept of green eggs and ham. Personally, it looks disgusting, and I can’t imagine force-feeding myself this gnarly concoction. Guess I don’t have to worry, though, because the nearest IHOP is hours away. Click here for more from the restaurant about their other Dr. Suess-related items.

Actually, some of them — like the Beezlenut Splash, a lemon-lime soda with cubes of floating Cherry and Berry Blue Jell-O — sound pretty good.

Oh, and just in case you want to make your own green eggs and ham, click here for a recipe.

This has nothing to do with anything, really. I just found this video last night on YouTube and thought I would share it. This young man is an amazing talent. If you remember the old White Lion song “When the Children Cry.” He plays it flawlessly. Enjoy.

Here’s a clip of Drowning Pool performing at Municipal Auditorium Friday night. Word is, the crowd wasn’t a sellout because some parents refused to let their kids see the show. About 1,000 folks attended. Some I spoke with said they talked to people from as far away as Tyler, Texas.

Hopefully this will be one of many top-caliber concerts for El Dorado. For more on the concert, see Rod Harrington’s weekend column this Friday in the News-Times.

By John Worthen
For Between Editions
Actually, does anyone really care? The Associated Press is reporting that this year’s Oscars were one of the most poorly watched ever. Nielsen told the AP Monday that overnight ratings are also 21 percent lower than last year, when “The Departed” was named best picture.

The least-watched Oscars ceremony ever was in 2003, when there were 33 million viewers.

I am always curious about who wins, but sitting through hours and hours of boredom to find out just seems pointless.

I haven’t really cared to watch the Oscars in several years. I think with more than 200 channels, and mounds of books to catch up on, I have better things to do than watch rich, famous people strut around in designer outfits that cost more than my house.

Awards shows are so 20th century. Just in case you’re wondering who won, click here for the results.

By John Worthen
For Between Editions
The infamous writers strike that shut down shows like the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Saturday Night Live, programs whose very existence rely on individuals who take pen to paper and grind out funny jokes, is finally over.

For fans of SNL like myself, it’s a time to rejoice. The New York Times has an interview with SNL creator Lorne Michaels, who explains that it may not be all cupcakes and tea when the famous variety show makes its return Saturday evening.

Click here for more.

If you’re fishing for something to do this weekend, and you don’t mind plodding out in the rain, visit Camden for the Ninth Annual South Arkansas Kennel Club’s Dog Show. The first show begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Highland Airport Facility, near Camden Regional Airport. A Sunday show is scheduled for 9 a.m.

“Everything is coming together,” show organizer Darleen Wheelington told the Camden News Thursday.

More than 500 dogs from 35 states are entered in the show, which draws thousands of visitors annually to Camden. Wheelington said approximately 25 vendors will be on hand.

By John Worthen
For Between Editions
It was said in Thursday’s Union County Finance Committee meeting: “Thank God we aren’t Ouachita County.”

I live in Ouachita County, and there’s reason why the committee member made this statement. Poverty abounds there — many hundreds are on welfare, jobless and hopeless; drugs are rampant; and you can’t even see a movie without driving to El Dorado.

Folks in Ouachita County, specifically Camden, see little hope for the future. You can catch a glimpse of this in Camden native Tom Drew’s documentary “Divided We Fall.” The film chronicles the life of hardcore Democrats and is set just before the election in 2004. It’s definitely worth watching.

To view the part about Camden, fast forward to just past the 18 minute mark. Click here for the video, courtesy of Freespeech TV.

***NOTE*** There is some adult language in this film. Parental discretion advised.

The Red Light District

By John Worthen
For Between Editions

Some say closing the Red Light District in Amsterdam would be like shuttering New Orleans’ French Quarter, although the RLD is far more illicit than Bourbon Street, even on its bawdiest day.

Officials in Amsterdam have passed a motion to close the district, best known for its prostitution and drug use. They plan to renovate the area into a shopping district. Click here for more from Newsweek magazine.

By John Worthen
For Between Editions

One of my favorite Mexican restaurant activities is chips and salsa. It’s the perfect precursor to a fine fajita meal. Once, while out with friends, someone dipped a chip that already had a bite out of it.

“Hey, you’re double dipping,” I protested.

There is reason to fear the double dip. Thousands of bacteria can be transfered from your mouth to the dip in such a transaction. The New York Times wrote an interesting piece on this subject. Click here to read it.

And remember, on Super Bowl Sunday, watch out for those pesky double dippers.

A reveler enjoys Fat Tuesday 2006

By John Worthen
News-Times Staff
I think I’m finally going to make the leap and head down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. There’s just something irresistible about colored plastic beads and throngs of people moshing together to get their hands on them.

And the food. Who can resist that?

Before I go, though, I’m researching the history of Mardi Gras. After all, if you’re going to experience something, you might as well know as much about it as you can.

I’ve found everything I needed to know — and more — here at Mardi Gras headquarters.

Are you planning a trip to the Big Easy for carnival? Let us know if you are.

Mardi Gras fact sheet:
• This year, Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French) falls on Feb. 5.
• Carnival, which is Latin for “kiss your flesh goodbye,” is a long season between Christmas and Lent. Contrary to popular belief, Mardi Gras only happens on one day, Fat Tuesday. The rest of the festivities are known as carnival.
• Many Mardi Gras parades are family friendly and encourage children and families to attend. The bawdiness mostly occurs in the French Quarter. And, yes, you are likely to see some nudity here, according to seasoned Mardi Gras veterans.
• Mardi Gras did not originate in New Orleans. Several cities in North America lay claim to the first Mardi Gras celebrations on the continent, among them, Mobile, Ala. Carnival festivities date back thousands of years to Europe.