Arts & Culture - The Daily Tar Heel

Gibbs Band Cranks Out Backwater Brilliance; Bad Ronald Offends With Monotony

By Staff Editor | Sep. 27, 2001

Emma Gibbs Band Out of the Country 4 Stars The Winston-Salem-based Emma Gibbs Band maintains its interesting and joyful mix that's ultimately neo-country for the young city boy. On its fourth album, Out to the Country, the band blends facets of every genre from country to bluegrass to classic rock. The album comes off with a cool, casual and eclectic sound made famous by its third album SevenEven. But the musical talent, lyrics and members have matured, creating a more harmonious and peaceful sound.

Dive Recommends

By Brooks Firth | Sep. 27, 2001

- "A Widow For One Year" John Irving A writer who specializes in brutally honest characters and story lines, Irving centers his new novel on the complex lives of a family of writers and a man who lived in the shadow of their tragedy. Irving delivers in this novel of delicate relationships.

Cosby Brings Wit, Laughter to Memorial Hall

By Michael Abernethy | Sep. 27, 2001

Only two people can come to Chapel Hill, call women "evil," and get away with it. One is Gary Birdsong, the "Pit preacher." The other is Bill Cosby. In two performances at Memorial Hall on Friday night, Cosby delivered a routine on the double standards of men and women in relationships, particularly marriage. "When you love a woman, and you love to look at her, and you love to just think about her -- you never expect that that woman who is so sweet and kind is capable of such evil," he said.

`Joy Ride' Takes Turn for the Better

By Kristen Williams | Sep. 27, 2001

Joy Ride 4 Stars Most college students' road trips include hitting local bars and maybe picking up a hitchhiker. In the new thriller "Joy Ride," there is more running from a crazed trucker using a big rig in way he shouldn't than radio sing-alongs and arguing over who has to drive next. Lewis (Paul Walker) is driving home to New Jersey after his freshman year at Berkeley, but this is no "Fast and the Furious" driving. He's crossing the country in a clunky used car, only stopping to pick up his high school gal pal Vinnia (Leelee Sobieski) from school in Boulder, Colo.

Superchunk Re-emerges With Polished Sheen

By Brian Bedsworth | Sep. 27, 2001

Superchunk Here's To Shutting Up 4 Stars Like Time Out Chicken 'n Biscuits or the Cat's Cradle, Superchunk is a Chapel Hill institution. And like most institutions, it got that way because it did something consistently well. The stalwart rockers have been cranking out their distinctive brand of amped up power-pop for more than a decade now, wowing audiences across the country and the globe.

Built to Spill Delivers Near Perfect Set

By Brian Millikin | Sep. 27, 2001

Built To Spill Cat's Cradle Monday, Sept. 24 4 Stars Indie arena rock, were such a thing to exist, would start and end with Built to Spill. Monday night, Built to Spill filled the Cat's Cradle's walls and the ears of a sold-out crowd with their epically plaintive sound. The Boise, Idaho group's two guitar, two bass attack was a stunning affront on rock and roll, and for nearly two hours.

ArtsCenter Offers Classes, Dancing

By Jenise Hudson | Sep. 27, 2001

Nearly 20 Triangle residents flock to the ArtsCenter in Carrboro each Tuesday. Eager to brush up on their East Coast swing skills, the students learn the Charleston under the instructor's watchful eyes. While "What a Difference a Day Makes" blares out of a stereo, the instructor offers advice as the rest of the room keeps dancing. And when all is said and done, some students convened for a post-swing trip to Red Hot & Blue, energized by the previous hour.

Concert Series Enters 6th Year of Entertaining, Fund Raising

By Ashley Atkinson | Sep. 27, 2001

Carolina Union officials spent three years recruiting celebrity cellist Yo-Yo Ma to perform a Virtuoso Benefit Concert in Memorial Hall. They put equal effort into snagging this year's Virtuoso, Bill Cosby, as well as past performers like violinist Itzhak Perlman and soprano Kathleen Battle. "We were bringing world-class performers to a less-than-world-class venue and trying to show everyone that this university can support a higher level of entertainment than our facilities allow," Union Director Don Luse said.

Milo Returns to the Stage, Puts on High-Energy Show

By Sarah Kucharski | Sep. 27, 2001

Milo Go! Studios Friday, Sept. 21 3 Stars Replete with screaming vocals, sweat-stained shirts and a hard rock attitude, student band Milo hit the stage at Go! Rehearsal Studios for its first performance of the fall semester. Milo kicked off its set with "Nothing Given," playing to a full house of predominately Greek audience members with pregame fever festering deep inside.

Weaver Shows Promise Despite Flaws

By Graham Parker | Sep. 26, 2001

If comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Adam Sandler somehow managed to conceive, Chapel Hill comic Larry Weaver might very well be the result. Anyone who's ever been inside a trailer park can appreciate Weaver's skewed perspective on Southern living on Looking for Fun. His skits and songs cover all things redneck, from vacations in Myrtle Beach to the disturbing denizens who have stayed too long at the state fair.

Comedian's Work Reflects Southern Life Experiences

By Brooks Firth | Sep. 26, 2001

Comic. Pro wrestling writer. Self-titled "crazy ghost researcher man." Larry Weaver has worn many hats throughout his life and now makes a living sharing his experiences and his insights the best way he knows how -- through laughter. Speaking with excitement about his new comedy album, Looking for Fun, North Carolina native and UNC alumnus Weaver has hopes to "become more of a name in (his) home state." Strangely enough, Weaver already has become a name almost everywhere but his home state.

Superchunk Comes Home for Show

By Brian Millikin | Sep. 26, 2001

CD Alley was still mostly empty a half hour before local music group Superchunk was set to play Tuesday night. Superchunk is known around the world, but you couldn't tell from the early scene. You also couldn't tell that the group's in-store acoustic show was just the third of four stops that day, a blitz celebrating its new album, Here's to Shutting Up. Select independent music stores in Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro were on the in-store performance roster as well.

Festival Elicits Laughs, Insight

By Diana By Diana Cunningham | Sep. 25, 2001

"One Acts Festival" Company Carolina Saturday, Sept. 22 4 Stars The cool, intimate darkness of Swain Hall's theater provided the perfect backdrop for Company Carolina's "One Acts Festival." The four plays acted out on the small stage brought both laughter and insight, not hindered at all by simple sets and close quarters. "Sure Thing" by David Ives

`King of the Hill' Writer Returns to Visit UNC

By Michael Abernethy | Sep. 21, 2001

UNC alumnus and "King of the Hill" writer John Altschuler came to UNC on Thursday to teach other writers how to be the kings of their own hills. Altschuler spoke with roughly 40 students and faculty of UNC's creative writing program about his experiences as a working writer. A graduate of UNC, Altschuler is co-executive producer and a writer for Fox's hit animated comedy, "King of the Hill," now in its fifth season. While visiting family in North Carolina, Altschuler came to UNC to share his experiences as a struggling writer who has finally made it big.

Musicians Get Exposure Jazzing Up Afternoons

By Brooks Firth | Sep. 21, 2001

It's Monday. Disjunct sounds of another afternoon jazz combo rehearsal begin. Bass player David Kinton, leans into his strings as pianist Kevin Timmons forcefully hammers on the keys of an aging piano. Looking on with a smile, a playful beat is kept by drummer Charles Battle. Guitarist Gavin Maxwell and vibraphone player Amorn Wongsarnpigoon pass the lead. All five players using eye contact to hold together the ensemble they christened The Back Line.

Dive Recommends

By Tiffany Fish | Sep. 20, 2001

Adam Gopnik's "Paris to the Moon," (Random House, $24.95): Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker journalist, relates lively anecdotes and insights on the idiosyncrasies of the French and their culture. It's a guide on how to appreciate the French for their way of life and mannerisms, which are often lost on American tourists. It's an extremely easy, funny read, just what you need after that highly entertaining microbiology textbook.

`Male, Middle Class and White'

By Sarah Kucharski | Sep. 20, 2001

Ben Folds fans, rejoice and hold onto your hats. Six years after bursting on to the music scene with the melancholy ballad "Brick," Ben Folds is back in the rotation with a new album, new band and new hit, "Rockin' The Suburbs." The first recording since the breakup of Ben Folds Five, Rockin' The Suburbs was released Sept. 11 to an eagerly waiting audience. Folds said that like earlier works, the album does not follow any clear evolutionary pattern. It simply mirrors the personality of its creator.

Folds Returns Home, Opens Tour With 2-Day Show

By Staff Editor | Sep. 20, 2001

On the first of two shows, the wry lyricist showcased his new band mates during a brief but high-energy set. Ben Folds Cat's Cradle Friday, Sept. 7 4 Stars A sold-out crowd filtered into Cat's Cradle. Some wore Ben Folds Five T-shirts, others clutched posters. All have the same question in their heads: Will it be our Ben who makes his solo debut tonight? Has his music changed? Has he grown up?

Transparent Thriller Lacks Depth

By Diana Cunningham | Sep. 20, 2001

The Glass House2 Stars There's nothing like the adrenaline rush and lingering chill of an exciting and suspenseful movie. Unfortunately, the so-called thriller "The Glass House" inspires no screams of terror, no cold touch of fear -- not even a slight shiver. One might have high hopes for the first movie attempt by director Daniel Sackheim, one of the producers of the television series "The X-Files." But all expectations are disappointed. He should have stuck to science fiction.

`World' Adapts Pain, Humor of Comic Book

By Joanna Pearson | Sep. 20, 2001

Ghost World4 Stars I used to worry that some people never really recover from adolescence. After seeing "Ghost World," I realize I'm not alone in this opinion. A new film by Terry Zwigoff and Daniel Clowes, "Ghost World" explores the fierce friendship between two war-wounded high school graduates, Enid (Thora Birch) and Becky (Scarlett Johansson). Enid and Becky bond over their mutual awkwardness and disgust at almost everyone around them.