The Commonspace > May 2001 > It's All Happening

"Day of the Triffids" — Cinema in the City
City Museum, 15th & Lucas
7:30 p.m., $4 admission, all ages
Wednesday, May 2

Webster University's Cinema in the City series has become one big hit in the past couple of shows, with crowds really picking up for the fun, monthly event. This time out, the series draws on one the staples, sci-fi, with 1963's "Day of the Triffids." The film centers around an eventuality that we'll all have to deal with: a meteor shower hits earth, unleashing giant monsters grown from plant spores. Let's deal with this bit of our future by gathering together, huddled in the darkened Beatnik Bob's Café, the reels spinning and the moon pies priced at a buck. Mmm, moon pies.

"New Voices New World" writers' series presents ...
Melodye Benson Rosales and Lalita Tademy
Vaughn Cultural Center, 3701 Grandel Square, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 4

Put together by First Civilizations Incorporated, this series highlights young, African-American and minority writers. Tademy's supporting a first novel, "Cane River," that "spans the years 1799 to 1936 told from a feminine perspective. 'Cane River' is much more than a story about slavery." Rosales, meanwhile, is discussing a new book of a series, entitled "Minnie Saves the Day." It's a kids-oriented work that "provides a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Bronzville section of Chicago in the 1930's." For more information: 895-9662.

"Doppelpack"
Frederick's Music Lounge — Monday Movie Nights
4454 Chippewa (free, 21-up)
Monday, May 7

This German feature film, crafted by Catapult Film Produktion, features a soundtrack by local ska band MU330, reviving a relationship between the European filmmakers and the local group. Previously, the parties worked on a hilarious short film entitled "Pas De Deux," also being shown this evening. MU's singer-guitarist, Dan Potthast, will also perform, playing a short set that'll break up the feature and short.

"Metropolis" Featuring The After Quartet
Webster University Film Series
470 East Lockwood, 8 p.m., tickets $4-6
Friday, May 18 - Sunday, May 20

In a return visit to the Webster University Film Series homebase of the Winifred Moore Auditorium, the After Quartet will do a three-night stand in support of the 1926 Fritz Lang classic, "Metropolis." Providing live soundtracks to a variety of silent films since 1993, the group's described thusly: "The After Quartet is a composer-based band that has dedicated itself to the art of original cinematic scoring for film. It includes Juilliard graduate Brian McWhorter on trumpet and the Electronic Valve Instrument, the multi-faceted composer and improviser Kyle Sanna on guitars, the up-and-coming jazz and pop star Eric Warren on fretless bass and concertina, and New England Conservatory graduate Aaron Trant on percussion. Brian McWhorter's critically acclaimed original score to Metropolis thrust the After Quartet into being one of the few ensembles dedicated to the live musical interpretation of film. The After Quartet recently released its first CD of Brian McWhorter's score to Fritz Lang's Metropolis and is currently in the process of recording 'The Man Without a World' for Milestone Film and Video's upcoming DVD of the film.

By all accounts, the combination of sound and celluloid in this live setting is remarkable.

Paul Lussier
Reading at Left Bank Books
Monday, May 21

Here's the honest truth: I'm completely unfamiliar with the work of Paul Lussier, who has scored a bestseller with the novel "The Last Refuge of Scoundrels." However, a note from his publicist sounds potentially intriguing:

"Lussier has been dubbed by Joseph Ellis 'the storyteller for the revisionist movement,' a title he willingly and proudly accepts. The essential impetus behind "Last Refuge of Scoundrels," ranked recently on the bestseller lists for both The Los Angeles Times and The Boston Globe, was to extract those facts brought to the foreground by the likes of Howard Zinn that have largely remained entombed behind academic walls and bring them into the light of the popular imagination. His aim with the novel was to create a story that would be accessible to the common man that would compete head-on with the 'cherry-tree' type myths that have exerted a strangle-hold on the legends surrounding our country's birth for the last two hundred years. In order for the truth recognized by Revisionist History to take hold, says Lussier, 'we need new fables, just as cogent and convincing and emotion-tugging as cherry tree mythologies.'"

St. Louis Electronic Music Festival
St. Louis Kiener Plaza, 12-9 p.m., free, all-ages
www.stlemf.com
Saturday, May 26

The flyer, rather slim, claims nine hours of electronic music on a pair of stages, with over 30 DJs working the 1s and 2s, as well as "dance contests, fashion displays and music & clothing sales." Might wanna hit the website as plans develop for more info on what sounds like a somewhat fun afternoon in the sun.