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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v5n49 (12/07/2006) » Section: See You There


Archer Prewitt

Archer Prewitt has been, for the last 15 years, one of the most influential forces in underground music. His previous band, the Coctails, were a diverse collective who drew from lounge music, free jazz and indie rock to attract a large cult audience, while his current band, the Sea and Cake, are one of the most revered groups in post-rock circles. When not playing guitar in the Sea and Cake, Prewitt has made time to create some of the most wonderfully superb solo records. Combed with meticulous arrangements, many of his records echo the lush orchestration of the Beach Boys or Nick Drake. His most recent recording, Wilderness (Thrill Jockey), however, strips things down to a much sparser, yet still very delicate, sound. Wilderness is a welcome diversion that toes the line between chamber pop and folk music. It’s as archaically beautiful as the drawing Prewitt did for the album cover. On the bill with Prewitt this weekend at Mohawk Place is Thrill Jockey label mate Angele Desveaux. Opening are the Old Sweethearts.



The Things We Carried

The Chicago Vietnam Veterans Art Museum traveling exhibit The Things We Carried is in the area courtesy of the State University of New York Healing Arts Program, “Peak Performance While Facing Life’s Challenges.” The exhibition has been coordinated by Dr. Sandra Vedovato, a psychologist working in the Dunkirk/Fredonia area, along with commander of the American Legion, John Miga, and SUNY Fredonia. Local artists involved in the project include Ralph Sirianni, creative arts therapist at the Buffalo Vietnam Veterans Administration Hospital and courtroom/police sketch artist, and Robert Holland, a military psychological specialist and fellow Vietnam veteran. The show, which will remain on view until Dec. 13, culminates today, on Pearl Harbor Day, with a “Missing Soldier’s Ceremony: Tributes and Memorials,” presented by the Chautauqua Veterans Service Agency. This exhibit is named for the book The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien, a tactile, autobiographical account of the author’s Vietnam experience. Programs at both SUNY Fredonia and Brockport offer an interdisciplinary approach to learning about the Vietnam war, whereby students read the book and experience the exhibit as part of the course. Though Dunkirk is somewhat of a trek, this thoughtful tribute is worth the trip—if not for the Pearl Harbor Day event (with its “K-Ration vs. Mom’s Apple Pie” reception) then for a look at this national show before it moves on. After all, Dunkirk is far closer than Chicago—or Fredonia, for that matter



Juini Booth & Pamela Plummer

Each year the holidays draw home the Buffalo diaspora, and Just Buffalo Literary Center has convinced two celebrated expatriates to take the stage this weekend for an evening of jazz and poetry and celebration. Bassist and composer Juini Booth (pictured left) has been performing and recording for more than 30 years—he started playing professionally at age 16—rubbing elbows with the likes of Art Blakey, Coleman Hawkins, Sun Ra, Elvin Jones and McCoy Tyner, among others. Pamela Plummer, a poet, social worker, educator and musician, has published two collections of poetry—Skin of My Palms and Meditation on Ironing Boards & Other Blues—and has received numerous awards for her writing. Their performance on Saturday is called, appropriately, Home for the Holidays, and Plummer and Booth say they’ll be meditating on the importance and meaning of “home.” Just Buffalo encourages all to bring holiday cookies and other baked goods—and to wear dancing shoes. This is a party, after all: the return of two prodigious talents.



Vicky Vogue

Vicky Vogue, a shining star in Buffalo’s nightlife firmament for more than a decade, returns to Buffalo this weekend to host her first annual farewell show. The show, Happy Holly Daze, is presented as a benefit for the AIDS Alliance Food Pantry. Entertainment for the night, including singing, dancing and comedy, is all live, and special guests include Chris Kelly and Jimmy Janowski as the Sweeney sisters, along with Mark Reilly and his infamous slut puppet Dynel. Mary Loftis and Mary Moebius are guaranteed to draw a few laughs as well. Other entertainment consists of several great singers from the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus, the Cabaret in the Square Diva and the SUNY at Fredonia all-stars. Not to mention the notorious Ms. Vogue, creating mayhem and mirth as usual.





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