The Seven Circles of Music Promotion

Some UT students were surprised to see an ad in The Daily Beacon announcing upcoming shows by BR5-49 and Drivin' 'n' Cryin' at Dante's on Lake Avenue, a bar and grill known primarily for local college bands and regional cover groups (and cheap margaritas). But there it was, in black and white. The low profile of the BR5-49 show (and hence the surprise of seeing it first in The Daily Beacon) was due to a late confirmation, according to Ben Carscaddion, who is in charge of booking for the club. In fact, the whole process of stepping up to bigger shows has zipped right along with little fanfare. In early January, after the expansion of Dante's deck increased its capacity from around 500 to 850 (perhaps an optimistic estimate from management), owner David Harb wanted to add some big-name bands and gave Carscaddion a budget to bring them in "and get the place rockin' 'n' rollin'." Carscaddion got the booking, but it was only confirmed a week and a half in advance, he says. Whether Dante's can afford to consistently draw big bands and whether it really can hold big crowds, or even pull them in without aggressive advertising, remains to be seen, but Carscaddion claims that deals to bring Cracker and The Lemonheads to Dante's are in the planning stages. If he pulls that off, they might be in business.

Last Call

For the third time in two years, Manhattan's has closed its doors, and this time it seems like it might be for good. According to Joy Lyons, who was part owner with Mike Tarquin until November and helped manage the restaurant/nightspot until its final evening on January 17, "There's just no one in the Old City. Lack of business is the reason it closed." Adding to the financial difficulties, she says, was that "all the money we were making was going to pay our rent. Kristopher Kendrick did work with us, he gave us a reduction, but it wasn't enough." More significantly, and perhaps an uneasy premonition for the future of the Old City, is Lyons' definition of the public perception of the Old City as "negative." Four Christmas parties were canceled at Manhattan's this winter, all of them due to safety fears, she says. Lyons maintains that "landlords are going to have to come down with rent and the city's going to have to give the Old City some backing if it's going to change."

A Celestial Tribute

Though the financial burdens of the family of the late Samarai Celestial have been well noted, accolades and fond remembrances don't pay the bills. In an effort to both remember the jazz drummer for his musical accomplishments and to provide something tangible for his two children, Nija and Osha, the Coastal Jazz Association will hold "A Memorial and Benefit for Musical Warrior Samarai Celestial" in his hometown of Savannah, Ga., on Sunday, March 1. Appearing will be Doug Carn, Ben Tucker, Kevin Bales, Eric Vaughn, Delbert Felix, Huxsie Scott, and both the Savannah Jazz Orchestra and the Blue Light Jazz Band, as well as other acts from around the region, and a special musical tribute to Samarai featuring unnamed artists is planned. The event is expected to be the largest jazz concert in Savannah behind the CJA's annual Jazz Festival, and proceeds will be placed into a fund for the education of Samarai's children. To contribute to the fund or to receive information about the concert, write to Coastal Jazz Association, Box 8004, Savannah, GA 31412.

All the Town's a Stage

No, the V-Roys weren't really playing at the Tennessee Theater on Monday, February 10; that crowd gathered outside under the marquee was staged. All the cool kids passed the word among themselves that the band would be shooting photos for the cover of their second album, due out in late summer or early fall and tentatively titled All About Town (at least according to the Tennessee's marquee sign—which indicates it may not be so tentative). Notable members of the crowd which met at the Bistro earlier in the evening included the News-Sentinel's music writer Wayne Bledsoe, A.C. Entertainment's Ashley Capps and Benny Smith, and our own Jack Neely. Ages ranged from a kid of 10 or so (with a green mohawk) on upward, and dress ran the spectrum from everyday work wear to garish faux rock star outfittings. The shoot lasted for about an hour once it finally got started; the shots taken were of the crowd lining up to go inside for the show advertised on the sign and then milling past the 'Roys, lined up coolly against the theater front with cigarettes dangling.

Bag It!

After-hours dance mecca the Boiler Room won at least a temporary victory last week when the state court of appeals struck down a city ordinance outlawing the practice of brown-bagging alcohol between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. You may recall that the law was passed by city council in late 1996 at the behest of Knoxville Police Chief Phil Keith as a remedy for various societal ills, drunk driving and Old City crime among them.

According to Boiler Room lawyer Samuel Brown of Lockridge, Becker and Valone, the court declared the law invalid based on "unacceptably vague" language, ruling that the ordinance placed undue responsiblity on clubowners by requiring that they ascertain and police the use of even "soft" beverages that might be used in conjunction with alcohol.

When the Boiler Room will resume its former late-night (on weekends) brown-bagging policy is still an open question. Brown said last week that club management is approaching the issue cautiously, and will not reinstate brown-bagging until they have clarified the issue with local officials.

Now Playing

A list of stuff, in no particular order, that got us through the week...

• The V-Roys at Barley & Hopps as the Sensible Dinners, Wed., Feb. 11.
• Monty Python Mania at the Tennessee Theater, Fri. and Sat., Feb. 6 & 7.
• Shelly's blowout tear-stained farewell bash at Tomato Head, Thurs., Feb. 5 (and never mind the nasty weather).

—Zippy " Openin' 'em up and closin' 'em down" McDuff