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ITAINS OF SORROW, RIVERS OF SONG TOUR
ART I THURSDAY, JAN. 9
"Word ol Mouth: A Community
ol Poets" Photo Show
Cine ??? 6:30-8:30 p.m. ??? FREE!
Over the past year, photographer
David Noah has been capturing portraits
of poets from Word of Mouth, a series of
open readings held the first Wednesday
of every month at The Globe. After a few
preliminary runs of taking shots while the
poets were onstage, Noah began doing
extended portrait sessions at their homes,
exploring the environments where they
live and write. Each portrait in the exhibit
is accompanied by one of their poems. "At
some point I realized that WoM is a com
munity as much as a venue, and document
ing that community became interesting to
me," Noah says. "The founder and guiding
spirit of WoM, Aralee Strange, passed away
last spring. This was a deep loss for every
one involved, and I came to see my photo
series as a portrait of a family in transi
tion." Sixteen local poets featured in the
portrait series???including Bob Ambrose,
Michelle Castleberry, Charley Seagraves,
Lemuel LaRoche and Grady Thrasher???will
share their poems throughout the opening
reception. [Jessica Smith]
MUSIC I FRIDAY, JAN. 10
Lera Lynn, John French &
the Bastilles, Josh Perkins
Melting Point - 7:30 p.m. - $10 (adv. orw/UGA
ID), $13 (door)
After spending
2013 up in Nashville,
Athens-bred country-
rock chanteuse Lera
Lynn returns to
town to preview a
selection of tunes
from the follow-up
to her striking 2011
debut Have You Met
Lera Lynn? The Lying
in the Sun EP will
feature five songs,
including a cover of
Bruce Springsteen's
"Fire" (a Darkness on the Edge of Town
B-side that, you might recall, was also
covered with some notoriety by The
Pointer Sisters). The EP will hit the street
this spring, but is officially available now
via Lynn's web store (and, presumably, at
shows). Judging by the snippets Lynn has
made available on her web store???espe
cially the smoky, sultry title track???it'll be
well worth the few bucks. [Gabe Vodicka]
MUSIC I FRIDAY, JAN 10 &
SATURDAY, JAN. 11
The Infamous Stringdusters,
Pachway Handle Band, The
Darnell Boys
Georgia Theatre - 9 p.m. - $15 ($20 for two-day
pass)
Playing a pair of weekend shows in
a music town is a big deal, so when
the Charlottesville, VA-based Infamous
Stringdusters roll into Athens for a couple
of gigs at the Georgia Theatre, expect
North Lumpkin Street to be the center of
attention. Known for their long, intricate
jams on instruments typically associated
with bluegrass, the Stringdusters are well
accustomed to showing off their virtuoso
status. But the band's live show isn't the
only notable thing about it; the group
has garnered a Best Country Instrumental
Grammy nomination for its studio record
ing of "Magic No. 9." Local progressive-
bluegrass torchbearers Packway Handle
Band open up the Friday show, while the
bluesy five-piece The Darnell Boys warm
up the crowd Saturday. [Dan Mistich]
FILM I SUNDAY, JAN. 12
Documentary Premiere:
Life the Brim
Cine - 2 p.m. - $5 suggested donation
Life the Griot???directed by Matt
DeGennaro and produced by Grady Thrasher
and Kathy Prescott???documents the story
of local social worker, mentor, poet, author
and activist Lemuel LaRoche. LaRoche,
known to the community as Life the Griot,
takes his nickname from a term that dou
bles as an ambassador to the community
and as a class of traveling poets, musicians
and storytellers who maintain a tradition
of oral history in parts of West Africa.
Weaving poetry, storytelling and heart-to-
heart talks over games of chess, LaRoche is
committed to empowering youth, promot
ing community development and raising
awareness of social injustices. Admission
to the screening
includes soda and
popcorn, and all
proceeds will benefit
Chess & Community
Conference, a non
profit organization
founded by LaRoche
that uses chess to
encourage youth
to "think before you
move" and apply for
ward-thinking strate
gies to their lives.
[Jessica Smith]
MUSIC I MONDAY, JAN. 13
Tracy Shedd, Wayward Stale,
Mathers
Flicker Theatre & Bar - 9 p.m. - $TBA
The music created by Florida native and
North Carolina resident Tracy Shedd calls
to mind the work of Laura Veirs, plaintive
and pretty but also packing an emotional
wallop. Shedd's latest, Arizona, released
in fall 2013 via Sunshine State indie New
Granada, found her stripping away the stu
dio affectations in favor of a largely acous
tic, wholly straightforward sort of slow
burn. Featuring contributions from nota
bles Ivan Howard (of The Rosebuds) and
Giant Sand's Howe Gelb, the record high
lighted Shedd's deceptively powerful vocals
and knack for incisive phrase-turning like
none of her albums had to that point.
Shedd has lived quietly but persistently on
the indie fringes for over a decade; expect
the stunning Arizona to propel her to a
more centric space. [Gabe Vodicka]
16 FLAGP0LE.C0M ??? JANUARY 8, 2014