Art Works Gallery and Plant Zero (playlist)

Hobbit is not bad, but certainly not great

We went to see the Hobbit at Westchester Commons Regal Theater, not something we normally do, but our daughter had just finished the book. We walked in the theater $60 poorer with a bucket of popcorn and a couple of drinks, that were also in buckets. The seats were comfortable, and the incline steep enough that you can easily see over the people in front of you. Plus, it was easy to get out of your seat quietly and go for more snacks or to the bathroom.

After being hammered for about 20 minutes by previews, which all seemed to be about the end of the world with lots of computer generated images, the movie started. The previews were all the same, it was as if the movie industry has became some giant video game based on gimmicks and some doom and gloom thrown in.

Having never read the book, I did not have any expectations.  But there were a lot of dwarfs, who were the heroes, and they went off to reclaim some lost place they used to live. The costumes and images were spectacular through our 3D glasses, it really showed all the advances that have been made in movie making. The sound was blasting, though not too loud as it turned out.

As the violence started, it felt like the overkill was unbelievable, scabby looking horrible creatures leaped out and attacked so often it lost effect.  I felt like I was in a GWAR movie, and I wondered how you go any further, with two and a half hours of almost non-stop violence. Someone should have pulled the director aside and told him to whack 30 minutes off the entire film, and see if they can create some more dialogue. The movie was morbidly obese with violence, not blood or torture, but still it was a bloated epic that went on too long. The monsters and the journey fighting them seemed to be something Odysseus might experience in a Homer story.

The music was wonderful, and some of the scenes magnificent, with haunting images, spectacular views. Many of the actors looked like members of Led Zeppelin or bands of the era, beards, mustaches, leather, etc. Indeed, there are a number of references in Zeppelin songs about parts of the Hobbit such as Mordor in "Ramble On."

All in all, we did not feel cheated, but on the other hand, we did not feel like rushing back to see the latest blockbuster. We are happy to go out and see movies that might be important to our daughter, but I'm happy to turn on PBS and watch something really good, like Downton Abbey.

Artemis Gallery 15th Anniversary Party

Had a great time playing last night at Artemis Gallery for their 15th anniversary party. That is quite an accomplishment for John Crutchfield, who founded the popular gallery when there were very few there at all. It is at the corner of Lombardy and W. Main Street in the fan, an area that is getting to be known as the Gallery District.

There were quite a few familiar faces, and new folks dropping in as we got the music going. Meade Skelton, Chris Branch, and I played from about 6 PM to 10 as people examined the art work on the walls and display tables. Meade played his hit tune "Sweet Tea" and Chris Branch delivered some fine Neil Young classics to the appreciative crowd.

Also, a cake with candles was brought out, and we all gathered around to sing Happy Birthday. The music continued as people mingled inside and out on the rainyish night, this event was part of the First Friday series in the area.

Check out ww.broadcastrichmondva.com for a video playlist we created for Artemis Gallery with lots of performances and interviews from gallery events.

For more info on Artemis, go to www.artemisgalleryrichmond.com 

Maya Honeymoon

Artemis Gallery "These Boots Are Made for Walking" May 4th

Karena's boots

Lindsey Phillips models her boots

Anna in hers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnRkALS2POs&list=PLAD5CB8A97F918D85&feature=view_all

Here's the video playlist link above from Artemis Gallery and a few photos from May 4th "These Boots Are Made for Walking" show.

The 93rd Annual Powhatan County Fair was blessed with great weather all three days, and that added to the attendance. Rockitz provided music on Stage 2, which was right at the front gate on a long and narrow flatbed trailer. Kicking off the music Friday was Chris Branch, who might be the best Neil Young tribute voice in existence, then a great Dead-sounding band formerly known as Nougat, which includes Bruce Miller on bass.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtMw61uVtVU   (a video I made with scenes from the fair).
more at rockitz.net, youtube.com/brookesaunders and on Facebook.

Tabb Justis

In Laymans Terms

Nougat

Nitro (featuring singer songwriter Wendy Pace) took the stage with their great originals and covers of Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin. Then we had Daddy's Radio with smooth retro covers going back to the 20's, after them came In Laymans Terms, a trio from Williamsburg. They rocked out with a 12-year old female bass player, a brother who's fourteen on guitar, and a mom on drums, plus a fourteen year old drummer who sat in and did muscular Ginger Baker riffs.  Danger Lights contributed original songs with a current rock sound next, and finally excellent r & b vocals and rocking vocals with  Bullets From Oz.

More on the Powhatan Fair coming up, plus Artemis Gallery and much more. 

Beekeeeping Video with David Stover of Urban Backyard Edibles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL2NvNfmlcc

Here's a video we did of  David Stover in Richmond, Virginia, a local beekeeper who works with Urban Backyard Edibles. Below is a link to a great beekeeping article in Health Journals, a free locally distributed publication. Contact David at www.urbanbackyardedibles.com and get your own beehive!

David demonstrates the smoker he uses to subdue bees.

http://www.thehealthjournals.com/2012/06/keepers-of-the-trade/